Putin claims Baltic states violate Russian speakers' rights, denies Moscow preparing for war with Europe
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference that Russian speakers' rights are being violated in the Baltic states, while denying that Moscow is preparing for military action against Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Kremlin is aware of alleged violations of Russian-speaking residents' rights in the Baltic states. He said Russia responds to this only within a humanitarian and international-law framework, claiming Moscow has developed a specific approach to the issue.
Putin also addressed the tense situation in Europe, describing statements from European Union member states about an alleged threat from Russia as deliberate escalation and provocation.
Denies war plans
The Russian leader categorically denied that Moscow is preparing for any military confrontation with Europe, stating there are no such plans and no real grounds for escalating tensions with European countries.
According to Putin, EU leadership is deliberately misleading Europeans in order to use Ukrainians as "cannon fodder." The remarks came after Putin had earlier accused Ukraine of striking what he described as polling stations in Moscow on the night of September 19-20.
