Putin: Europe Is Fueling Hysteria About a War That Will Not Happen

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sharply rejected statements circulating in Western countries about the possibility of a large-scale war between Russia and NATO, calling such claims false and detached from reality.

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Vladimir Putin

Speaking at a meeting of the board of the Ministry of Defense, Putin said that European politicians are deliberately raising what he described as the "temperature of hysteria” and instilling fear among their own populations about an inevitable confrontation with Russia.

Putin Accuses European Leaders of Fearmongering

"In Europe, people are being fed fears about an inevitable clash with Russia, as if they must prepare for a big war. Various figures who once held or still hold responsible positions seem to have forgotten about responsibility altogether. They are guided by momentary, personal or group political interests, but not by the interests of their own peoples.”

According to Putin, Russia has no reason to seek a military conflict with NATO and poses no threat to European countries. He stressed that repeated claims about a looming war are being used to manipulate public opinion rather than reflect real security risks.

Western Rhetoric Intensifies Ahead of NATO Decisions

In recent months, warnings about a possible Russian attack on NATO have become increasingly frequent in Europe. Similar statements have been made by officials in Denmark and other countries, while Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić previously claimed that "everyone” is preparing for a war with Russia.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has also said that Russia could become the alliance's "next target,” arguing that many NATO members underestimate the urgency of the situation and mistakenly believe that time is on their side.

Putin responded to these remarks by reiterating that Russia has no plans to attack NATO and that suggestions to the contrary are, in his words, "lies and nonsense.” He has repeatedly described such scenarios as absurd and politically motivated.

Kremlin Links War Rhetoric to Defense Spending

The Kremlin has previously pointed out that the surge in warnings about a Russian threat coincided with NATO discussions on increasing defense spending to five percent of GDP. According to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's official spokesperson, portraying Russia as a looming enemy was necessary to push through these decisions.

Moscow maintains that the narrative of an inevitable war serves domestic political goals in Western countries and does not reflect Russia's actual intentions. Russian officials continue to insist that Europe faces no threat from Russia and that escalating rhetoric only undermines stability on the continent.