Putin dismisses NATO war warnings as ‘hysteria’, defends Russia’s stance on Ukraine

Putin rejects NATO war warnings

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed what he described as Western calls to prepare for a “major war” with Russia, labelling such warnings as “hysteria” and “a lie”. He accused Western leaders of intentionally fuelling fear across Europe by presenting Moscow as an imminent military threat.

Vladimir Putin was responding to remarks made last week by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who urged alliance members to ready themselves for a conflict on a scale not seen since World War Two.

Putin said Western governments were misleading their citizens by promoting the idea that Russia planned to attack Europe.

“I have repeatedly stated: this is a lie, nonsense, pure nonsense about some imaginary Russian threat to European countries,” Vladimir Putin said, adding, “But this is being done quite deliberately.”

He further claimed that European populations were being “indoctrinated” with fear and accused Western leaders of stoking hysteria to justify higher defence spending and military mobilisation.

What NATO Chief Mark Rutte said

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that the alliance must be prepared for the “scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured”, saying many member states underestimated the seriousness of the threat posed by Russia.

“We are Russia’s next target. Too many don’t feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not,” Mark Rutte said, cautioning against European complacency.

He also called on NATO members to rapidly boost defence spending and increase military production to deter a future conflict.

Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war

Vladimir Putin also addressed the conflict in Ukraine, warning Kyiv and its Western supporters that Russia would pursue its territorial objectives through military means if diplomatic efforts fail.

“The goals of the special military operation will certainly be achieved,” Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Russian defence ministry officials, referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He said Moscow preferred a negotiated settlement but warned that Russia would annex claimed Ukrainian territory by force if “the opposing country and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions”.