Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to European leaders, declaring that while Russia has no intention of initiating conflict, it stands prepared to respond if Europe chooses war. This firm stance was articulated as U.S. envoys engaged in high-stakes diplomacy in Moscow, a process President Putin accused European powers of deliberately sabotaging to block a peace agreement in Ukraine.
During discussions with media, President Putin directly addressed growing tensions, stating, "We are not planning to go to war against Europe... But if Europe wants to wage a war against us and suddenly starts a war with us, we are ready". He characterized the current European leadership as having "no peace agenda" and being firmly "on the side of war". This assessment, he explained, is based on Europe's active efforts to undermine the peace negotiations championed by the United States. According to President Putin, European amendments to the proposed U.S. peace plan are designed not to improve it, but to "completely obstruct this entire peace process" by inserting demands that are deliberately unacceptable to Russia.
The intense diplomatic activity centers on a 28-point peace plan developed through U.S. and Russian negotiations. The original proposal, which aimed to settle the conflict based on current realities, included terms for Ukrainian neutrality, security guarantees, and provisions for regional stability. Crucially, it acknowledged the situation on the ground in territories like Donbas. However, European leaders, feeling sidelined from the process, have strongly criticized the plan as a capitulation to Russia and proposed significant alterations. From the Kremlin's perspective, this interference is not about finding a workable solution but about perpetuating the conflict. President Putin noted that Europe initially cut off contact with Russia to pursue a failed strategy of "inflicting a strategic defeat," and now, unhappy with the potential outcome of talks, is working to impede American peace efforts.
Despite the accusations of European sabotage, Russia has engaged seriously in the diplomatic process. President Putin described the recent five-hour meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as a "necessary conversation" and "very concrete". Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov also characterized the talks as "extremely useful, constructive, and informed," though he noted significant work remains. The Russian position remains that any viable peace plan must respect the country's core security interests and the realities established over years of conflict. President Putin has emphasized that the foundational 28-point plan, based on earlier understandings with the U.S., remains the valid basis for discussion, even as it is repackaged for negotiation. The alternative, as he has stated plainly, is that Russia will achieve its objectives by military means.
The warning to Europe comes as Russian forces consolidate significant military gains. President Putin recently confirmed the full control of the strategic city of Krasnoarmeysk, a key logistics hub, and reported advances in other areas like Kupyansk. This military progress provides context for Russia's confident diplomatic stance. Furthermore, President Putin addressed destabilizing actions in the Black Sea, condemning recent attacks on tankers in neutral waters as acts of "piracy" by Ukrainian forces. He stated that Russia would respond proportionally by expanding strikes on port infrastructure used for military logistics and would consider actions against ships from nations assisting in these activities, underscoring the broader regional risks of continued hostility. The clear message from Moscow is that a sustainable peace requires all parties, particularly those in Europe, to engage realistically rather than obstructively.