Putin warned in Moscow that Europe’s path toward conflict could push Moscow to a position where negotiations become nearly impossible. Speaking at an investment forum, he accused European leaders of pursuing a peaceful agenda that masks a readiness for war, asserting that Western support for Ukraine places Europe on the side of conflict.
He stressed that if Europe chooses to escalate into war with Russia, Moscow might soon encounter a situation in which there is no partner left to negotiate with. The Russian president also claimed that European governments live under illusions about forcing Russia into strategic defeat and insisted that Moscow’s conditions for talks remain limited to the US administration, effectively sidelining European leaders in the peace process. He reiterated Moscow’s stance against negotiating with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In another notable claim, Putin said Russia is creating an option to confront NATO, a point underscored by recent German assessments. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul noted intelligence indicating Moscow is preparing for the possibility of a future attack on the EU and NATO, warning that Russia could wage war against NATO by 2029. The Foreign Ministry added that deterrence must be pursued with partners and allies.
The security landscape across Europe has seen a rise in suspected Russia-linked activities and hybrid operations, including cyber intrusions, sabotage, and drone and missile incursions into NATO airspace. Unidentified drones have led to airport closures in the Baltic states and other Eastern European countries, while Russian fighter jets have briefly entered Estonian airspace.
European officials have discussed the evolving nature of warfare; European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius told Euronews that detection capabilities and drone-destruction options remain insufficient. He acknowledged that the EU’s current response and doctrine require significant adaptation to address modern threats, noting that ongoing measures have not yet reached the desired effectiveness.
