Putin accuses US of trying to ‘drag out’ war in Ukraine

Putin reaffirmed his long-held claim that he sent troops into Ukraine in response to Washington turning the country into an “anti-Russia” bulwark [Pavel Byrkin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the US of prolonging the war in Ukraine as part of what he described as Washington’s alleged efforts to maintain its global hegemony.

“The situation in Ukraine shows that the United States is trying to drag the conflict out …,” the Russian president said on Tuesday addressing the opening ceremony of a security conference in Moscow.