Thursday, April 3, 2025

Putin comment on ’taking Kiev in 2 weeks’ taken out of contex

Date:

Share post:

MOSCOW: A reported comment by President Vladimir Putin that Russia could capture Ukraine’s capital Kiev within two weeks was taken out of context, Itar-Tass news agency quoted a Kremlin foreign policy aide as saying on Tuesday.
It quoted Yuri Ushakov as saying that whether or not those words were spoken, the quote “was taken out of context and had a totally different meaning”.
Italy’s La Repubblica reported this week that Putin told European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in a telephone conversation: “If I want to, I can take Kiev in two weeks”. The comment was reportedly relayed by Barroso to leaders at last weekend’s European Union summit.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia yesterday of “direct and undisguised aggression” which he said had changed the battlefield balance as Kiev’s forces suffered a reverse against pro-Moscow separatists. Moscow denies direct engagement of its troops in the war in Ukraine.
Putin had called on Sunday for immediate negotiations on the “statehood” of southern and eastern Ukraine.
Tass quoted Ushakov as criticising Barroso, saying it was “improper” and undiplomatic to relay details of the conversation.
“If this was done, then it seems to me unworthy of a serious political figure,” he said. (Reuters)

Related articles

Trump unveils tariffs

Washington, April 2: President Donald Trump announced plans for sweeping tariffs Wednesday, saying "our country has been looted,...

SC quashes HC order against The Shillong Times

NEW DELHI, April 2: The Supreme Court of India has quashed a contempt proceeding against The Shillong Times...

Kharlukhi raps Biren for remarks on PA Sangma

SHILLONG, April 2: Former NPP state president and Rajya Sabha MP WR Kharlukhi on Wednesday criticised former Manipur...

New snakehead species of fish found in Chokpot

SHILLONG, March 2: Meghalaya has once again gained recognition in the scientific community with the discovery of a...