Thread by @ri_not_ri

Ahead of the invasion anniversary, read the absurd and cynical statements from the Russian president, high-rank politicians and diplomats in this thread.

If you want to understand the twisted mindset of Russia’s leadership, this is a must-read.

Source links are in the ALT.

“Certainly no one is going to move toward war, and no one accepts any possibility of such a war at all.”

Dmitry Peskov. April 11, 2021

On November 3, 2021, Maria Zakharova called Western media reports about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine a “fake campaign.”

“Russia is not hatching any aggressive plans. And it is absolutely wrong to claim otherwise.”

Dmitry Peskov. November 23, 2021.

“Look, there was talk about the possible introduction of Russian troops into Ukraine back at the beginning of the year — we held the Zapad-2021 exercise — but as we can see, it didn't happen.”

Vladimir Putin. November 30, 2021.

“Russia has never attacked anyone first.”

Dmitry Peskov. December 26, 2021.

“You claim that we are going to attack Ukraine, although we have already explained many times that this is not the case.”

Sergei Lavrov. January 21, 2022.

“We have already repeatedly stated that our country is not going to attack anyone. We consider unacceptable even the thought of war between our peoples”

Alexey Zaitsev. January 27, 2022.

“The movement of our troops across our own territory, I would like to emphasize, is presented as a threat of a Russian invasion - in this case of Ukraine. On what grounds - it is not very clear.”

Vladimir Putin, February 8, 2022.

On February 15, 2022, after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Putin said, “Of course not! That is why we have put forward proposals for a negotiation process that should result in an agreement to ensure equal security for all, including our country.”