Russian President Vladimir Putin recently spoke to foreign media, addressing concerns about his intentions regarding NATO. He made it clear that he does not see NATO’s military buildup as a threat to Russia. This statement comes amid ongoing tensions in Europe related to the war in Ukraine.
Putin specifically mentioned Germany, stating that if the country were to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, he would consider Germany a direct participant in the conflict. This follows Germany’s earlier announcement that it has no plans to send such weapons to Ukraine, despite repeated requests from Kyiv.
In his remarks, Putin did not hold back in criticizing Germany. He described the country as not neutral but rather as a supporter of Ukraine, even suggesting that it could be seen as an accomplice in the hostilities. Despite these strong words, he expressed a willingness to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, though he questioned Germany’s ability to act as a mediator in the ongoing conflict.
Putin has also indicated a willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but only during what he called the “final phase” of peace talks. Last month, he opted out of a scheduled face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy in Istanbul.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is preparing to attend a NATO meeting in The Hague next week. At this meeting, NATO members will discuss increasing defense spending to 5 percent of their gross domestic product. This indicates a significant shift in defense policy as the alliance responds to the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader security concerns in Europe.