Putin denies plans to attack Europe, blames Kyiv for collapsed peace talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow has no plans for military action against Europe, while accusing Ukraine of derailing peace negotiations with a large-scale drone attack on election day. He also claimed Russian speakers' rights are being violated in the Baltic states.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the United Cultures Forum in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is not preparing any military action against Europe and has no such plans.
According to Putin, Ukraine had signaled readiness to return to negotiations shortly before Russia's State Duma elections, and Moscow was prepared to resume contact once voting concluded. However, he claimed that on the main election day, Kyiv struck Moscow, launching more than 1,600 drones and hitting polling stations. Putin said Russia will now weigh how to respond and will decide on resuming talks based solely on its own interests.
Retaliation and ceasefire talk
Putin argued that Ukraine needs to feel the consequences of Russia's retaliatory strikes. He claimed these strikes have been so damaging that Ukraine has begun raising the possibility of a ceasefire and is seeking to halt Russia's "Geran" drone strikes. In his view, Kyiv's actions only worsen the situation for Ukraine itself.
Europe and the Baltic states
On Europe's role, Putin claimed that European countries are the ones escalating tensions and engaging in provocations, seeking to keep using Ukraine as leverage against Russia. He also asserted that Russia is aware of violations against Russian speakers' rights in the Baltic states and is responding with humanitarian measures.
