President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russiawill respond swiftly if Europe instigatesMoscowamid what he referred to as the militarization of the continent fueled by panic.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club, a gathering of Russian specialists, in the Black Sea town of Sochi, Putin stated that Russia has demonstrated over centuries its willingness to respond forcefully if challenged.
"If someone still wants to challenge us in the military field, as we put it, go ahead, let them attempt," he cautioned.
Russia's responses will arrive shortly.
The war in Ukraine, the most severe conflict in Europe since World War Two, has led to the largest clash between Russia and the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, with Russian representatives claiming they are currently engaged in an 'active' conflict with the Western world.
But he stated he had no plan to attack the US-ledNATOunion, rejecting what he characterized as alarmism from the group.
"The ruling class of unified Europe keeps stoking panic," Putin stated.
It seems that a war with the Russians is nearly here. They keep repeating this nonsense, this mantra endlessly.
"They're either extremely ineffective if they genuinely accept it, as it's impossible to believe this absurdity," he added.
Putin presents the conflict as a turning point in Moscow's interactions with the West, claiming that Russia was disrespected following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, as NATO expanded and entered what he views as Moscow's area of control.
Western European officials and Ukraine describe the conflict as an imperial-type territorial seizure and have consistently pledged to overcome Russian troops. They claim that if Russia is not defeated, Putin could endanger a NATO ally.
"I simply want to say: Stay calm, sleep peacefully, and focus on your own issues. Just observe what is occurring in the streets of European cities," Putin stated.
Truly, I just want to say: stay calm, sleep peacefully, and focus on your own issues. Just observe what's occurring in the streets of European cities.
Putin then criticized US President Donald Trump for referring to Russia as a 'paper tiger'.
Trump, who earlier suggested that Kyiv should relinquish land to achieve peace with Moscow, significantly shifted his stance last week, stating he believed Ukraine could reclaim all its territory from Russia.
A paper tiger. What comes next? Go and handle this paper tiger," Putin stated. "Well, if we are battling the entire NATO alliance, we are progressing and feel secure, and we are a 'paper tiger,' then what is NATO itself?
In his address, Putin also mentioned that Ukraine's military suffered from a serious shortage of personnel and instances of desertion, whereas Russia had sufficient troops. He proposed that Kyiv consider discussing a conclusion to the conflict.
He stated that Russia controlled nearly all of Luhansk province, approximately 81% of the Donetsk region, and roughly 75% of both Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
Russian troops control approximately 19% of Ukraine's territory and have captured 4,750 square kilometers (1,834 square miles) in the last year, as shown on maps supporting Ukraine.
Russian officials' comments followed a day after top European leaders gathered in Copenhagen on Wednesday to discuss the continent's security.
Prior to the discussions, Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen cautioned that Europe is facing its most challenging and perilous moment since the end of World War II.
Leaders also addressed strategies to strengthen the alliance's eastern defenses, citing Russia's open breaches of the area's airspace following recent drone flights over Poland and fighter jet movements over Estonia.
'Russia will keep advancing, and we must be prepared, we need to enhance our readiness,' said Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo upon his arrival, expressing his backing for a drone barrier — a system of sensors and weapons designed to identify, monitor, and counter unauthorized unmanned aircraft.
"It is the pattern we must examine, and in my opinion, this pattern is fundamentally a hybrid conflict targeting Europe, and that is what we need to address," Frederiksen said to reporters on Wednesday.
The gathering also marks the initial chance for leaders from the 27 EU nations to discuss a suggestion to utilize Russian assets held in Europe to support a significant loan for Ukraine.
Upon reaching the peak, several leaders expressed robust backing for the concept, whereas others remained more hesitant.
The latest drone violations have led European leaders to increase their demands for strengthening the region's security and providing greater assistance to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia's invasion. US President Donald Trump has urged the EU to assume more responsibility in both areas.
The drones that hovered over Denmark "show we need early warning systems, and we need to work together," said France's Macron in Copenhagen.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the concept of a drone barrier last month, following the incident where approximately 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, although authorities mention that the initiative had already been under development prior to this event.
"What I observe in general ... is a trend. And this trend is originating from Russia," von der Leyen stated on Wednesday.
"Russia is attempting to challenge us. However, Russia is also trying to create division and fear within our communities. We will not allow this to occur," she stated.
Read more- Is Europe preparing for a high-stakes conflict involving drones, with countries collaborating to create an unbreakable 'drone barrier' to counter Moscow's air-based dangers?
- Are Putin's recent drone actions a risky indication of a larger European confrontation, as experts caution about possible NATO border challenges?
- Is Europe tense as leaders prepare for a potential increase in hostilities from Putin during the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
- How are European officials responding to the Russian drone attack in a NATO member country like Poland, and what concerns does this raise among them?
- With rising tensions, can Europe meet the challenge of 'crushing Putin's war machine' and strengthen Ukraine's weakening defenses?
Posting Komentar