Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was ready for war with Europe, although he claimed Moscow did not want such a conflict. He also warned that there would be no winners if the confrontation escalated too far.
The remarks were reported by Russian state-aligned news agency Interfax, citing Putin’s press conference following the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 29.
Commenting on his recent conversations with the leaders of Norway and Finland, Putin referred to calls for preparations for a possible war with Russia by 2030.
“Many people talk about nothing but preparing for war by 2030. Is that the right thing to do? No. First of all, we are ready, but we do not want any war with Europe. And if some of them want one, let them prepare,” Putin said.
Putin also expressed confidence that Russia could not be dealt a strategic defeat even by 2030.
“They have not achieved their goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia, and it is unlikely to be possible by 2030 either,” he said.
The Russian president also warned of the consequences of a possible escalation.
“And if things go too far, there will be no winners at all. Let no one forget that,” Putin stressed.
