The declassified transcripts of the discussions between Putin and Bush show the Russian leader's disappointment regarding the dissolution of the USSR and the opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership.

The transcripts of the discussions between Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush, from 2001 to 2008, published by the NGO National Security Archive, highlight Putin's position regarding Ukraine and the dissolution of the USSR. In a meeting in 2001, Putin expressed regret over the collapse of the Soviet Union, stating that territories like Ukraine were ceded "voluntarily," a claim contested by historians.

He also discussed Russia's exclusion from NATO, suggesting that it should become an ally. In 2008, in the context of Ukraine's request to join NATO, Putin warned that this would create a long-term conflict, calling Ukraine an "artificial country." His comments reflect a similar rhetoric used to justify the current invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing Russia's fears regarding NATO expansion and perceived threats to national security.