Putin makes a statement following the Security Council meeting on Donbass recognition

RT

Putin asked Bill Clinton "Why did you make an enemy out of us?"

41:48

More than that I will say one thing that, I have never said before in public, I will say it for the first time. Back in 2000 when President Bill Clinton was visiting Moscow at the end of his term I asked him how would America see Russia joining NATO? I would not give you all the details of that conversation but the reaction to my conversation looked, well, very reserved let me put it this way, and how did Americans really look at this possibility? You can see it in their practical steps in regard of our country - open support of the terrorists and North Caucasus - ignoring our demands and our concerns in the security area, withdrawing from the treaties, arms treaties and so on and so forth. It still begs the question, why, why did they do that? What for? Okay, you don't want to see a friend in us and ally in us, but why do you want to make an enemy out of us? The only answer that we got was - it's not about our political regime or anything else it just they don't need such a big and independent country as Russia. So, that's the answer to all the questions, that's the source of traditional American policy they pursue.

• Vladimir Putin, February 21, 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjMnTo85S4A