Russian President Vladimir Putin Once Sent Congratulatory Message To Ukraine On Its Independence Day
NDTV
This old message's friendly rhetoric is a stark contrast to current Russia-Ukraine relations.
It has been six months since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. However, there was once a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Ukraine on its independence and spoke of "friendly" relations between the two nations.
According to a Kremlin press release dated August 24, 2007, Mr Putin sent a congratulatory message to then-President Viktor Yushchenko "in honour" of Ukraine's 16th anniversary of declaring independence from the Soviet Union.
"Our peoples are linked by centuries of spiritual and cultural ties and inseparable friendly and neighbourly relations," Vladimir Putin said.
"I am convinced that the stability and consistent development that exist today, as well as the progressive strengthening of the Ukrainian government on a sound legal basis, namely that of democratic principles, is in both of our countries' core interests," he added.
