Putin denies war preparations against Europe, claims Russian speakers' rights violated in Baltics
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference that Russia is aware of rights violations against Russian speakers in the Baltic states, while denying any preparations for military action against Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a press conference on 25 September, claimed that Russia is aware of violations of Russian speakers' rights in the Baltic states. The remarks were broadcast by Kremlin-aligned news agency TASS.
Putin stated that Russia knows about these alleged violations and responds to them within a framework of humanitarian and international law. He said Russia has developed a specific approach to addressing the issue on humanitarian grounds.
No plans for war, Putin says
Addressing the tense situation in Europe, Putin described statements from EU countries about a threat from Russia as a deliberate exaggeration and provocation. He insisted that Russia has no plans for military action against Europe, adding that there are no grounds or real motives for escalating tensions with the bloc.
Putin further suggested that EU authorities are deliberately misleading Europeans in order to use Ukrainians as what he called "cannon fodder."
He also repeated an earlier claim that Ukraine had carried out strikes on polling stations in Moscow on the night of 19-20 September.
