Russia's perspective on the conflict in Ukraine

According to Dimitri Polanski, Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the UN, the conflict in Ukraine is the result of years of tension between Russia and the West. He believes that the West, particularly the United States, has been keen on making Ukraine a tool to weaken Russia. Polanski highlights that Russia has been vocal about its opposition to NATO's encroachment on its borders since the early 2000s, and warns of the dangers of ignoring Russia's interests. He argues that Ukraine had a significant role to play in this crisis and mentions the Minsk agreements as a missed opportunity for peaceful resolution. Polanski emphasizes that Russia is not rejecting negotiations, but there are certain goals and redlines that need to be addressed, such as denazification and ensuring Ukrainian neutrality.