Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow is closely monitoring what he described as the “militarization of Europe” and warned that any direct threat to Russia’s security would prompt a swift response. He made the remarks during his address at the Valdai Discussion Club, reports Baltimore Chronicle citing the official speech.
Putin emphasized that the Kremlin is paying particular attention to Europe’s growing military ambitions and said that Moscow is analyzing both the rhetoric and the concrete steps of European governments aimed at boosting their defense capabilities.
As an example, he referred to Germany, pointing out statements from German officials about the need to restore the Bundeswehr as the strongest army in Europe. According to Putin, Russia is “listening carefully” to such declarations and considering their implications.
The Russian leader asserted that any countermeasures from Moscow, if deemed necessary, would follow without delay and would be, in his words, “highly convincing.” At the same time, he claimed that Russia has “never initiated military confrontations,” attempting to portray his country as a reluctant actor in global conflicts.
Putin dismissed European politicians’ warnings about a possible Russian attack on NATO member states as “nonsense” and “hysteria.” He added that European governments should “calm down, sleep peacefully, and finally focus on their own problems.”
He also shifted responsibility for the ongoing war in Ukraine onto Europe, insisting that Western policies are to blame. According to Putin, the “root cause of the Ukrainian and other crises” lies in the West’s actions after the end of the Cold War.
Earlier we wrote that Medvedev mocks Trump’s claims about U.S. nuclear submarine near Russia.
