"We are closely monitoring the escalating militarisation of Europe We simply cannot ignore what is happening. We have no right to do so for reasons of our own security. I think no one doubts that Russia's countermeasures will not be long in coming, he added, speaking at the Valdai plenary session, an annual gathering of officials and foreign policy experts where Putin often sets out his views on global affairs."
"His remarks came as 45 European leaders gathered in Copenhagen for a summit aimed at bolstering support for Ukraine and accelerating defence projects intended to ensure the continent is capable of deterring Russian aggression. The meeting followed turbulent weeks in which several European countries reported Russian drone and jet incursions, raising fears that Moscow was testing Nato's resolve. While threatening Europe, the Russian president struck a conciliatory note towards Donald Trump, despite the US leader's recent disparaging remarks about him."
Vladimir Putin vowed rapid retaliation against Europe's escalating militarisation and dismissed western fears of a planned attack on NATO as nonsense. He framed monitoring of European military build-ups as a security imperative and presented impending countermeasures as necessary. The statements coincided with a Copenhagen summit of 45 European leaders focused on bolstering support for Ukraine and accelerating defence projects to deter Russian aggression. Recent reports of Russian drone and jet incursions heightened concerns about Moscow testing NATO's resolve. Putin also offered conciliatory praise toward Donald Trump and suggested the conflict could have been avoided under Trump's presidency.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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