Russia's confrontation with Europe escalated sharply on Tuesday after President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow is prepared to fight immediately if European governments initiate a conflict, framing Western support for Ukraine as evidence that Europe is now "on the side of war." Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow, Putin said that if Europe "starts a war," then Russia is "ready right now," a message that arrives amid heightened warnings from NATO members that Moscow is preparing long-term military options against the alliance.
Putin accused European capitals of lacking a "peaceful agenda" and claimed they "live under illusions" of delivering a strategic defeat to Russia. As he has throughout the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine, he dismissed European demands to end the invasion as "not acceptable" to Moscow. He added that if Europe were to initiate hostilities, events could move so quickly that Moscow "simply has no one to negotiate with."
The remarks came as European intelligence services publicly assessed that Russia is rebuilding its capacity for a potential confrontation with NATO later this decade. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said new intelligence suggests Moscow is "creating the option for itself to wage war against NATO by 2029," warning that European governments "have to deter further Russian aggression, together with our partners and allies." His ministry has cited a wave of Russia-linked hybrid activities-cyberattacks, sabotage attempts, and drone incursions-that have disrupted airports and violated airspace in Estonia, Belgium, Germany, and the Baltic states.
European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius told Euronews that recent incidents, including drone incursions and a bombing of a Polish railway line, are forcing a reassessment of military doctrine. "What we have seen from a technical point of view is that we do not have enough detection capabilities, we have no cost-effective means to destroy drones," he said, adding that Europe's preparation "is again not at the required level."
Putin also reiterated the Kremlin's refusal to engage with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and insisted that only the United States can negotiate an end to the war. He accused European leaders of "hindering" U.S. President Donald Trump by proposing ideas they knew were "absolutely unacceptable" to Moscow, arguing that Europe had "locked themselves out of peace talks" by severing channels with Russia. "They are on the side of war," he said.
At a separate moment during the forum, Putin responded to reports that Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto had warned Europe was preparing for war. Putin said Russia did not seek conflict but warned that if Europe "suddenly wants to start a war with us and starts it," then a decisive Russian response would leave Europe defeated "so swiftly" that Moscow would have no negotiating counterpart. He suggested the conflict in Ukraine does not represent a full-scale war, calling Russia's operations "surgical," and implying that the approach would differ dramatically in a direct confrontation with European militaries.
Nearly four years after the invasion began, U.S. officials estimate more than 1.2 million Russians and Ukrainians have died, though neither government discloses casualty figures. Despite battlefield setbacks and the failure to seize Kyiv, Putin continues to reject warnings that Russia would target a NATO member if victorious in Ukraine, calling such claims "nonsense."
Putin also issued a new threat in response to recent Ukrainian drone attacks on tankers in Russia's Black Sea "shadow fleet," saying Moscow could sever Ukraine's access to the sea altogether if such strikes continue. The warning adds another flashpoint to an already volatile front that has seen Moscow escalate naval operations and Ukrainian forces target Russian logistics.
