Russia Is Ready for War with Europe, but Moscow Does Not Want One: Putin

Russia is prepared to become involved in a war with Europe, but Moscow does not want such a war, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

Speaking after phone conversations this week with the leaders of Norway and Finland, Putin said he supports any initiative to restore relations with European countries.

Asked about Western countries' preparations to face a possible conflict with Russia by 2030, Putin said: 'We are ready, but we do not want a war with Europe. However, if any of them insists on preparing for war, they may do so.'

Putin had expressed a similar position earlier, in December 2025. At that time he said Russia had no plan to fight Europe, but if Europe suddenly decided to start a war against Russia, Russia was ready right now.

Putin claimed that the goal Western countries had set themselves of defeating Russia strategically had failed.

The Russian president said that if a war broke out between Russia and Europe, no one would emerge victorious, and he urged European countries to be cautious on the matter.