According to the alleged transcript of Putin’s speech at the 2008 NATO–Russia Council Summit in Bucharest, Putin spoke of Russia’s responsibility for ethnic Russians resident in Ukraine and urged his NATO partners to act advisedly; according to some media reports he then also privately hinted to his US counterpart at the possibility of Ukraine losing its integrity in the event of its NATO accession.
Menurut transkrip yang diduga berasal dari pidato Putin pada Pertemuan Dewan NATO-Rusia di Bukares tahun 2008, Putin menyatakan Rusia bertanggung jawab akan penduduk Rusia di Ukraina dan mendesak NATO untuk bertindak matang-matang; menurut beberapa media, dilaporkan bahwa Putin mengisyaratkan kepada rekan di AS secara privat akan kemungkinan Ukraina akan kehilangan wilayahnya setelah bergabung pada NATO.