"The expansion of NATO, the expansion of the European Union to the detriment of Russia has been Europe's policy posture for decades now," Ritter points out.
Delivering an important message to world leaders, he said it is imperative for Russia to define its values and principles.
“Europe is currently in the grip of irrationality,” but in the US “it’s not that bad,” Ritter argues, and Putin’s words can be heard.
“The expansion of NATO to the detriment of Russia, the expansion of the European Union has been Europe's policy position for decades,” Ritter explains.
Europe worked together with the US to overthrow the legitimate Ukrainian government in 2014.
Europe did not negotiate the Minsk agreements in good faith to stop the Ukrainian war in Donbas.
Europe derailed the Istanbul peace talks in March and April 2022.
Europe continues to provide Ukraine with weapons and cash.
Europe used Ukraine as its proxy to fight and weaken Russia.
"So Europe is responsible. The Russian president is 100% right," Ritter says.
"Europe's current identity is shaped by the need for both the NATO military alliance and the European Union to treat Russia as an enemy, as a rival, on the basis of which various expenditures and policies are justified."