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President Putin has vowed to respond promptly against what he termed the “growing militarization of Europe”, while brushing off Western anxieties that Moscow plans to attack Nato as “nonsense”.

Putin’s Remarks at Valdai

Speaking at length in Sochi on the recent Thursday, Putin stated: “We are carefully watching the growing military expansion of Europe … We simply cannot ignore what is happening. We have no right to do so for reasons of our own security.”

“Undoubtedly that Russia’s countermeasures will not be far off,” he continued, addressing the Valdai plenary session, an annual gathering of diplomats and specialists where Putin often presents his opinions on global affairs.

Leaders’ Gathering Amid Rising Tensions

The statement came as 45 European leaders assembled in Copenhagen for a meeting aimed at strengthening assistance for Ukraine and fast-tracking security plans intended to ensure the region is equipped to counter potential threats from Russia.

The summit followed recent unsettling events in which multiple nations in Europe reported Russian drone and jet incursions, fueling concerns that Russia was testing Nato’s resolve.

The Russian Leader’s Conciliatory Tone Toward Donald Trump

While threatening Europe, Putin showed a willingness to engage toward the former US president, even after negative statements from the American side about him.

Seemingly an attempt to win back Trump’s favour, Putin highly commended him, asserting that “had Trump remained president, the hostilities in Ukraine could have been averted” – a point Trump has often used himself in official remarks.

The Kremlin and Kyiv have spent an extended period trying to gain Trump’s support over the Ukraine conflict, as Trump has altered his approach multiple times.

Over the past few weeks, Ukraine appeared to gain the upper hand, with the US leader expressing disappointment in the Russian president for dragging out the war and describing Moscow’s economic and defense capabilities as a “ineffective force”.

Change in American Stance

As per sources, the US president recently permitted Washington’s security bodies to help Ukraine carry out strikes deep inside Russian territory – a decision which would amount to a significant shift in US policy under his administration.

Zelenskyy has also lobbied the US government for advanced US-made weapons and other long-range US-made weapons capable of engaging locations up to 800 kilometers away.

Moscow’s Reply to Comments

Like before when criticised by the US leader, he ignored the remarks, hoping for Trump to reconsider his stance.

He described Trump as a “comfortable interlocutor” who knows “the art of listening” and said Russia was seeking a “total reestablishment” of ties with America, praising the previous US government for its “directness and lack of hypocrisy”.

Responding to Trump’s “paper tiger” jab, the president implied the remark might have been sarcastic, saying: “Should Russia, engaged in conflict with all of Nato, be called weak, what does that say about the alliance?”

Gaza Conflict

Putin also supported the US initiative to conclude hostilities in the region, noting that Tony Blair, the previous UK PM – expected to play a central role in the initiative – could “offer valuable input”.

He then digressed to reminisce about how he once spent the night at his house and the two had a morning coffee the next morning “dressed casually”.

Harsher Tone on European Leadership

His language was clearly stronger when it came to the European continent, with his primary frustration directed at the continent, blaming “EU officials” for obstructing peace in Ukraine and “fueling alarmism” in the continent.

He said: “It turns out that war with the Russians is practically on the doorstep. They repeat this nonsense, this mantra, over and over again … They can’t believe what they’re saying, that Russia is going to attack Nato? They’re either incredibly incompetent if they truly believe it, because it’s impossible to believe this nonsense, or they’re simply dishonest.”

Maritime Dispute

The president also condemned France’s arrest this week of the crew on a tanker linked to Moscow which was believed to be serving as a base for unmanned aircraft that forced Danish airports to close last week.

He said: “In neutral seas, the ship was captured unjustly. Such actions are piratical.”

Ongoing Hostilities

On the war in Ukraine, there was no sign that the Russian leader was seeking compromise or reducing his ambitious aim of compelling Ukraine’s surrender.

Despite Russia’s modest recent progress, he maintained that his troops were “making steady progress” along the whole frontline.

Putin also claimed that Ukraine was suffering significantly more damage than Moscow – despite the fact that international analysts put Russia’s toll at close to a million, more than the Ukrainian figures.

“In light of the high toll on Ukraine, the Ukrainian leadership should think seriously about starting negotiations,” Putin said.

Zelenskyy’s Appeal

Attending heads of state in the summit, the Ukrainian president said Russia was “escalating its harmful activities” and called on Europe to show the “resolve” to take immediate steps.

Zelenskyy said: “We see clearly that only joint action and united efforts can guarantee real security. No country should be left alone against this threat.” He called on Europe to “increase the pressure, and increase the pressure now, so that Russia is forced to end the war and change its policy”.