Putin called nonsense claims about Russia’s intentions to attack Europe

Statements by the leaders of Western countries that Russia is allegedly planning to attack Europe are in no way substantiated, said Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to him, Western leaders use such rhetoric to justify their spending on assistance to Ukraine.

“Expenses, first of all, expenses. This is the main reason why this topic is being inflated, some kind of aggressive policy on the part of Russia… This is the main thing. There are no other reasons,” he said at a meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (quoted from website Kremlin).

The Belarusian leader added that Polish and Lithuanian politicians often accuse him of planning to attack their countries together with Russia. “We have never even discussed such plans that we want to capture someone. We have enough of our own problems, but someone else was still missing,” said Mr. Lukashenko. He added that with such accusations, Western leaders show their inconsistency.

NATO military chief Rob Bauer in March stated about NATO’s readiness for conflict with Russia. In January, he said that alliance forces were preparing for a full-scale war with Russia in the next two decades. Vladimir Putin in response to this statedthat Russia has no aggressive intentions towards Europe.

About the reaction to the statements – in the Kommersant material “Both forewarned and forearmed”.

Evgeny Belousov