Vladimir Putin has rejected claims that Russia is preparing to launch an attack on Europe, calling the reports “hysteria” and “horror stories.” Speaking during a military parade in Beijing, the Russian president dismissed suggestions of a wider war as nonsense and insisted Moscow has no interest in escalating conflict with NATO countries.
Putin made the comments while meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He told reporters that Russia had never planned to attack Europe, does not currently intend to do so, and never will. He said that the idea was either a provocation designed to stir fear or the result of political incompetence.
He also addressed Ukraine’s future and repeated his position that Russia does not object to Kyiv joining the European Union. However, he stressed that NATO membership for Ukraine remained a red line. Putin placed the blame for the ongoing conflict on Western powers, arguing that NATO’s expansion and interference left Russia with no choice but to respond militarily.
The remarks come as several European nations prepare for potential escalation. In France, health authorities have instructed hospitals to be ready for mass casualty scenarios by early next year. Germany is also stepping up defensive readiness, with large-scale military exercises scheduled in the coming months. The preparations reflect ongoing concerns that Europe could be drawn into a wider confrontation.