ALBAWABA- Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered one of his starkest warnings to date on Tuesday, declaring that Moscow is prepared to respond “immediately” if Europe initiates hostilities.
His remarks, made after a meeting with his security council, accused European leaders of undermining peace efforts in Ukraine and obstructing ongoing U.S.-led negotiations.
Speaking in Russian during a televised briefing, Putin insisted that Moscow has no intention of attacking European countries but said the Kremlin would not hesitate if war is forced upon it.
“Russia is not planning to fight European countries, but if Europe starts a war, Russia is ready right now,” he said. “Europeans do not have a peaceful agenda… If Europe wants to fight a war, we are ready now. If Europe starts a war with Russia, soon there will be no one left to negotiate with.”
The comments reinforced the Kremlin’s long-standing narrative that Europe is fueling the conflict by supporting Ukraine and blocking diplomatic efforts.
Putin accused European governments of hindering U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempts to broker a ceasefire, saying they had “detached themselves from talks” and were preventing a political settlement.
Putin’s remarks come as NATO steps up defenses along its eastern flank, citing Russian “hybrid” activity ranging from drone incursions into Polish, Romanian, and Estonian airspace to suspected sabotage operations across Europe. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that Moscow is escalating to destabilize European unity and weaken support for Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also cautioned that Russia is preparing for a broader confrontation by the end of the decade, pointing to sustained military buildup and intensified strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. Putin recently vowed to increase attacks on Ukrainian facilities and on tankers supplying Kyiv, moves that risk pulling NATO allies’ shipping into direct confrontation.
The warning coincided with renewed U.S. diplomatic efforts to negotiate a settlement. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner met Putin in Moscow earlier Tuesday to present a revised American peace framework. The plan, initially outlined in a controversial 28-point proposal seen as favorable to Russia, has been condensed to 20 points after what Washington described as “constructive” talks with Kyiv in Florida and Geneva.
The updated proposal seeks compromises on several core disputes: control of Donbas under a potential Russian-administered demilitarized zone, the fate of frozen Russian assets destined for Ukraine’s reconstruction, post-war security guarantees, and the timing and conditions of Ukrainian elections.
President Trump said there is a “good chance” for a deal, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security. Moscow has welcomed parts of the U.S. plan but continues to demand recognition of its full territorial claims. The Kremlin released video of the Witkoff–Putin meeting but withheld details, signaling possible hesitation or rejection.
European allies have presented their own counterproposal, insisting that any agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and begin with an unconditional Russian ceasefire, directly contradicting Moscow’s position.
Addressing Ireland’s parliament during a December 2 state visit, Zelensky voiced cautious optimism about the revised U.S. plan. “We will see how much closer we have come to peace after we see the reaction of the Russian side,” he said, noting that the Florida revisions made the framework “better” for Ukraine.
He highlighted three unresolved “sensitive” issues: territorial control, the fate of frozen Russian assets, which require EU decisions, and Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. Zelensky reiterated the need for European participation in talks to counterbalance U.S.–Russia dynamics and stressed that any settlement must prevent future Russian aggression.
“We have to stop the war in such a manner that, in one year, Russia won’t come back with the third invasion in ten years,” he said after meetings with French and Irish leaders.
