In a press briefing on Thursday in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that US President Joe Biden had suggested in 2021 delaying Ukraine’s NATO accession for a decade or more.
Putin shared that Biden’s proposal was clear: to hold off on admitting Ukraine to NATO for 10-15 years, as the country was not yet prepared. “It’s no secret,” Putin said, emphasizing that Biden had openly raised this idea during their discussions. Putin seemed to agree with Biden’s assessment, acknowledging that Ukraine wasn’t ready for NATO membership but asserting, “But you’ll prepare it and accept it.”
Reflecting on the long-term nature of such decisions, Putin remarked that, from a historical perspective, it makes little difference whether the decision is made now or in the future. “For us, what difference does it make — today, tomorrow, or in ten years?” he added, suggesting that the timing was not a critical factor.
When questioned about former President Trump’s stance on Ukraine and NATO, Putin distanced himself from Trump’s team’s proposals, indicating that he couldn’t speak to how the situation would evolve under Trump’s administration. “I don’t know how things will unfold, but we’ll see,” he said cryptically.
Putin also addressed the gas supply situation, noting that Ukraine’s refusal to extend a key gas agreement posed a significant challenge to Europe, pointing out that reaching a resolution within a few days would be nearly impossible.
In a sign of possible diplomacy, Putin mentioned Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who recently expressed willingness to facilitate negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. These talks, set to take place in Russia later this week, could be pivotal in resolving the ongoing conflict.
The expansion of NATO has been a long-standing point of contention for Russia and is cited as the primary reason behind its military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022.
As Trump prepares to take office again next month, his position on US support for Ukraine remains a question mark. Trump has suggested a shift in policy, promising to end the war quickly while questioning continued American aid. The coming months could bring a dramatic shift in the dynamics of the conflict.
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