Putin denies Russia preparing for war with Europe, blames Ukraine for stalled talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied that his country is preparing for any military confrontation with Europe, as several NATO member states discuss the need to brace for possible escalation with Moscow.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Putin said European speculation about a potential Russian attack is prompting some countries to prepare for combat. "I want to reiterate that we are not preparing for any kind of military action with Europe," he stated.

The Russian president emphasized that Moscow is not, according to his remarks, preparing for any military conflict with European nations, amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and heightened tensions between Russia and several European countries.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Putin said Russia was ready to resume negotiations with Kyiv after the elections, but blamed the Ukrainian side for the failure to restart talks.

According to Putin, attacks targeting Moscow prevented the resumption of negotiations with Ukraine after the elections. Moscow had previously declared its willingness to return to talks, while insisting on its conditions to end the war.

Kyiv, meanwhile, maintains its demands concerning sovereignty, territory, and security guarantees, as both sides continue to trade accusations over responsibility for stalled negotiations.

Putin's comments come amid a surge in drone attacks on the Russian capital and other regions, with Moscow accusing Kyiv of attempting to target the city during the election period.

The report did not provide further details about the attack Putin referenced or its timing, but linked these developments to the delay in resuming negotiations, which Moscow said it was ready to pursue after the elections.

Putin's remarks come as the war in Ukraine continues and tensions rise between Moscow and European nations, while NATO countries stress the importance of strengthening their defensive capabilities.

At the same time, international efforts to reach a settlement to the war persist, with Russia and Ukraine continuing to blame each other for hindering negotiations.