Putin challenges Europe: We are ready for war, and you must abandon your illusions
In a new escalation of political and military rhetoric, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent strongly worded messages to European leaders, asserting that his country is "ready" for war with Europe if the latter seeks it. These fiery statements came ahead of a sensitive round of talks between Putin and US envoys, during which he accused the European side of attempting to sabotage any efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Firm messages ahead of US talks
Before meeting with US envoy Steve Wittkopf and former President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the Russian president clarified that Moscow does not plan to initiate a war against Europe, but will not hesitate to respond if a confrontation is imposed upon it. Putin stated unequivocally: "We are not planning to go to war with Europe, but if Europe wants to and starts a war, we are ready right now.".
These meetings at the Kremlin are to discuss Washington’s proposed plan to end the war in Ukraine, a plan being negotiated in parallel with the Ukrainian side, indicating an intense diplomatic effort that could redraw the map of the conflict.
Europe and the "illusion" of strategic defeat
In criticizing the European stance, Putin called on the continent's leaders to abandon what he termed the "illusion" that they could inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia. He stressed the need to "return to reality" and assess the balance of power based on the current situation on the ground, where Russian forces continue to consolidate their positions.
The term “strategic defeat,” frequently used in Western circles since the outbreak of the war in February 2022, refers to the desire to weaken Moscow’s military and economic capabilities to the point where it would be unable to launch similar operations in the future. However, the resilience of the Russian economy, the cohesion of the home front, and recent battlefield advances have led the Kremlin to assert the failure of this Western strategy.
Marginalizing the European role
The Russian president also commented on the lack of an active European role in the current peace negotiations, noting that the Europeans are "upset about being excluded," but he placed full responsibility on them, saying, "They excluded themselves; it was their own initiative." Speaking on the sidelines of an economic forum, he added that Europe lacks any real peace plan and that its positions contribute to the continuation of the war and the escalation of the conflict, reflecting the deep diplomatic rift between Moscow and European capitals.
Escalation in the Black Sea
On the ground, and in addition to the political statements, Putin announced an expansion of naval military operations, asserting that Russia "will broaden the scope of its strikes against ships entering Ukrainian ports." This decision comes as a direct response to recent attacks by Kyiv targeting two Russian oil tankers in Turkish territorial waters in the Black Sea.
This development poses significant risks to international shipping and energy security, as the Black Sea is a vital corridor for grain and oil exports. Expanding the scope of the conflict would likely increase maritime insurance costs and further complicate a global economic landscape already impacted by the ongoing war.
