Back in early 2000s, putin complained to Bush about "loss" of Ukraine after collapse of USSR - archival documents

In conversations with US President George W. Bush in the early 2000s, the russian dictator vladimir putin expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that russia had lost influence over Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

This is stated in the documents released by the American non-governmental organization National Security Archive.

In particular, in the 2001 material, Bush emphasizes that the existence of a "strong Russia" is in the interests of the United States, and suggests that putin rethink new global threats - from forces that are hostile to both the United States and russia.

In response, the kremlin chief declares his readiness for a "broader format of relations" and emphasizes the importance of honesty in bilateral dialogue. He also explains his popularity in russia by maintaining contact with citizens who, in his words, felt "deceived by large-scale changes."

Putin goes on to actually question the consequences of the collapse of the USSR, claiming that Russians "voluntarily gave up" large areas. In this context, he mentions Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus, calling them lands that had allegedly been part of russia for centuries and were "given away" by decisions of the Soviet party leadership.

Putin has also tried to justify the war in Chechnya, claiming that after the withdrawal of russian troops in 1996, "radicals from Arab countries" entered the region and, in his version, attacked neighboring regions. He also expressed irritation that the issue of russia's debt had not been resolved at the G8 summit in Tokyo.

In addition, the russian leader complained about russia's lack of membership in NATO. He recalled that back in 1954, the USSR applied for membership in the Alliance but was denied. According to putin, all the reasons for that refusal have now allegedly been eliminated, so russia could be considered a potential ally.

The documents also record a conversation in 2008, during which putin calls Ukraine an "artificial state" created in Soviet times and opposes its accession to NATO. He states that otherwise Russia will "constantly create problems there." At the same time, putin adds that, in his opinion, the decision on membership in the Alliance should be made only after the majority of the Ukrainian population supports it.

As a reminder, according to intelligence, the russian dictator has not given up his aspirations to seize the entire territory of Ukraine and return the part of Europe that belonged to the russian empire to russian control.