The transcripts of the conversations between Putin and Bush, declassified by the Trump administration, show Putin's opposition to Ukraine's accession to NATO.

The conversations between Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush, recently declassified by the Trump administration, reveal the firm position of the Russian leader against Ukraine's NATO membership, expressed during the period 2001-2008. Putin warned that this membership would create a conflict zone between Russia and the United States, leading to a long-term confrontation. He characterized Ukraine as an "artificially created state," emphasizing that Russians make up a third of its population and that many Ukrainians perceive NATO as a threat. In 2008, Putin predicted a conflict between the two powers and a possible division of Ukraine, reiterating concerns about the placement of NATO infrastructure near Russia's borders. He stated that Russia would continue to resist NATO expansion and would create obstacles in this regard.