Putin Called Ukraine 'Artificial State' to Bush Before War

Newly declassified US transcripts reveal Russian President Vladimir Putin privately told George W. Bush that Ukraine was an “artificial state” between 2001 and 2008, long before the 2022 invasion. These remarks underscore Putin's long-held skepticism about Ukrainian sovereignty and his opposition to its NATO aspirations.

• Putin consistently called Ukraine an 'artificial state' to Bush from 2001-2008.
• Declassified US transcripts from National Security Archive confirm these statements.
• Putin argued Ukraine's borders were Soviet-era territorial creations, not natural.
• He warned Ukraine's NATO entry would trigger 'long-term confrontation'.
• Remarks reveal Putin's long-standing skepticism about Ukrainian sovereignty.

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