Putin denies threatening Europe, but warns European troops in Ukraine would mean war with Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that his country has no intention of threatening European nations, pushing back against what he described as claims made by "European elites." He argued that no such threat exists or has ever existed, insisting Russia has no grounds for conflict with Europe since all relevant issues were resolved after World War II.

At the same time, Putin claimed it is Europe, not Russia, that seeks to alter the status quo that emerged following the Soviet Union's collapse. He cautioned European governments that sending troops into Ukraine would be regarded as going to war with Russia.

Concerns over the Baltics

In recent months, worry has been building across Europe that Russia might target a NATO member on the alliance's eastern border, potentially including one of the Baltic states.

The idea of stationing European forces in Ukraine received significant attention earlier this year during peace negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. During that period, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and France signed a declaration expressing intent to deploy European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine once a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow was reached. Once those negotiations stalled, discussion of the peacekeeping plan also died down.