Russia’s Putin issues BIG warning to European leaders: ‘If they want to…’
Putin argued that European countries were putting forward demands regarding the conflict that Russia could not accept. He also accused Europe of obstructing attempts by the United States and American President Donald Trump to reach a negotiated solution.
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Moscow was ready for a military conflict if European nations chose to escalate tensions, accusing European governments of obstructing diplomatic efforts on the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the investment forum in Moscow, Putin said, “We are not planning to go to war with Europe, but if Europe wants and starts, we are ready now.” He claimed that European leaders no longer prioritized negotiations and instead supported continued hostilities in Ukraine.
What did Vladimir Putin say?
Putin argued that European countries were putting forward demands regarding the conflict that Russia could not accept. He also accused Europe of obstructing attempts by the United States and American President Donald Trump to reach a negotiated solution. “They are on the side of the war,” Putin said, referring to European leaders’ stance on the years-long conflict. Trump’s remarks came as US ambassador Steve Witkoff and presidential advisor Jared Kushner met in Moscow to discuss possible steps to end the nearly four-year conflict.
US efforts for peace in Ukraine
The USA presented its revised 28-article peace proposal to the public after Ukraine and European countries backed down. The proposal criticized the previous draft as being too tailored to Russia’s conditions. European governments have expressed concerns that any peace structure could put pressure on Ukraine to give up territory currently under Russian control. Putin also announced plans for a stronger military intervention, saying Russia would intensify its attacks on Ukrainian ports and ships following recent incidents at sea. He described strikes on Russian tankers as “piracy,” adding: “The most radical solution is to cut Ukraine off from the sea, then piracy will be impossible in principle.”
What is the latest situation in the Ukraine war?
Earlier, a Ukrainian security official said that two sanctioned tankers in the Black Sea, heading to the Russian port to load oil for export, were targeted by navy unmanned aerial vehicles. On Tuesday, a Russian-flagged tanker carrying sunflower oil was reportedly hit by a drone off the Turkish coast, leaving all 13 crew members unharmed, according to the Turkish maritime authority and the Tribeca shipping agency. Ukraine has denied involvement. Ukraine had previously launched missile and drone attacks on Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, causing disruptions in oil transportation operations.
(With inputs from news agency ANI).
