Putin: Russia backs restoring ties with Europe and warns a war would have no winners
After phone talks with Norway and Finland's leaders, Putin said Moscow does not want war but is prepared for a potential conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow supports steps to rebuild relations with European countries, while warning that any escalation into open conflict would leave no winners.
Commenting on recent phone conversations with the leaders of Norway and Finland, Putin said Russia is ready for a potential war with Europe even though it does not want one.
"We support all steps and activities aimed at restoring full and functional relations with the European countries. We are not prepared, but we do not want a war with Europe. If someone wants that, let them prepare, but at the moment they have not achieved their goal — to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. And if things go too far, there will be no winners at all. Let no one forget that," Putin said.
Message to Europe and regional leaders
Putin framed the remarks as part of diplomatic exchanges with Norway and Finland; he portrayed Moscow as open to normalization while also issuing a stark warning about the costs of a broader confrontation.
The statement underscores a dual line from the Kremlin: an openness to restore functional ties with European states coupled with continued readiness to respond if pressures escalate into military conflict.
Photo: Kremlj)
