Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western Europe of being primarily responsible for the continued hostilities between Moscow and Kiev, stating that the Ukraine crisis is a “tragedy” that could have been prevented. During his address to the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin emphasized the need for a shift toward a multipolar world order, questioning whether the West is prepared to abandon its unipolar ambitions. The speech was delivered at the plenary session “The Polycentric World: Instructions for Use,” where Putin highlighted the geopolitical tensions shaping global relations.