Merkel's Ukraine comments spark Baltic anger, Russia praise DW 10/08/2025
Efforts to start direct EU–Russia talks in June 2021 failed due to opposition from Baltic states and Poland, and Russia launched full-scale aggression after December 2021.
Putin warns of harsh response to Europe's militarisation'
Putin vows swift retaliation to European militarisation, dismisses claims Russia will attack NATO as nonsense, and accuses Europe and NATO of escalating tensions.