TIANJIN, Sept 1 – Russian President Vladimir Putin, following his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stated on Monday that lasting peace in Ukraine would require addressing the issue of NATO's expansion toward the east.

Putin launched a large-scale military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, following years of conflict in eastern Ukraine between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. Currently, Russian forces occupy nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory.

Western nations and Ukraine characterize the invasion as an aggressive attempt to seize land. Putin, however, sees the conflict as a broader struggle against Western powers, accusing them of disrespecting Russia’s security concerns by expanding NATO after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Tianjin, Modi was seen holding Putin’s hand as they approached Xi. The three leaders exchanged smiles and spoke with the help of interpreters.

Addressing the summit, Putin claimed the West had tried to pull Ukraine into its sphere of influence before attempting to bring the country into NATO, which is led by the United States.

"For peace in Ukraine to be lasting and meaningful, the original causes of the conflict must be resolved," said Putin. "These factors have been raised multiple times before."

He also emphasized what he called the need to reestablish "a fair balance in the field of security" in Europe, referring to long-standing Russian concerns over NATO expansion.

Back in 2008, NATO agreed that Ukraine and Georgia could eventually join the alliance. In 2019, Ukraine amended its constitution to formally pursue membership in both NATO and the European Union.

According to reports from earlier this year, Putin has indicated that any resolution to the war would require Western countries to pledge in writing that NATO would no longer extend eastward, along with the removal of several sanctions imposed on Russia.

Putin also mentioned that understandings reached with former U.S. President Donald Trump during an August summit in Alaska had created a possible opening for peace discussions, which he planned to continue with leaders attending the current summit in China.

"We value the initiatives brought forward by China and India in their efforts to help settle the Ukraine conflict," Putin told attendees at the forum.

"I believe the agreements made during the recent U.S.-Russia meeting in Alaska can support progress toward peace," he added.

Putin said he had already briefed Xi on the outcomes of his talks with Trump and on the measures being taken toward a resolution, and planned to go into further detail during bilateral discussions with Chinese and other leaders.

China and India, two of Russia’s most significant energy customers, continue to import crude oil from Russia, the world’s second-largest oil exporter. Although the U.S. has imposed higher tariffs on India over these purchases, there are no indications that either country intends to change their buying habits—an important element in sustaining Russia’s wartime economy.

(Edited to correct the byline)