ALBAWABA- Russian President Vladimir Putin issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Western nations on Thursday, declaring that any attempt to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia would be met with devastating retaliation.
“If anyone wants to compete with Russia militarily, let them try,” Putin said, stressing that Moscow would “never compromise or hesitate” in defending its sovereignty.
Speaking at a high-profile forum, Putin framed the global landscape as entering a “radical transformation,” arguing that Western hegemony is collapsing and multipolarity is inevitable.
He accused the U.S. and its allies of seeking dominance through sanctions, military pressure, and “dictates” that ignore the interests of other nations. “All attempts to subdue us have failed. The time for dictates is over,” he said.
The Russian leader rejected claims that Moscow intends to attack NATO states, calling such narratives “sheer nonsense,” while insisting Russia remains open to cooperation with the West if it abandons its “policy of coercion.”
He also criticized Western failures in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, saying the Middle East “is deteriorating” without effective solutions.
Putin’s remarks come just two days after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action against Russia during an address to senior generals at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
Trump vowed a $1 trillion defense budget and the rapid production of sixth-generation fighter jets, warning that Washington could intervene directly to force an end to the Ukraine war if diplomacy fails.
The back-to-back warnings from both leaders underscore the mounting risk of miscalculation as Russia and the U.S. harden their rhetoric, raising fears of a deeper confrontation that could draw in NATO allies and further destabilize global security.
