Putin Warns That a War Between Russia and Europe Would Have No Winners

Putin Warns That a War Between Russia and Europe Would Have No Winners

Putin Warns That a War Between Russia and Europe Would Have No Winners Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that a direct military confrontation between Russia and Europe would leave no side victorious. “If things go too far, there will be no winners. Let no one forget that,” Putin said following the Russia-Africa summit in […] The post Putin Warns That a War Between Russia and Europe Would Have No Winners first appeared on The Zambian Ob…

WAR WARNING: Putin Says Russia Is Ready to Fight Europe, Threatens Strait of Hormuz-Style Crisis in Baltic Sea

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow is prepared for a military confrontation with European nations if Western governments continue trying to weaken Russia, raising the possibility of a major conflict and threatening to turn the Baltic Sea into a flashpoint resembling the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking Thursday at a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, Putin insisted that his country has no desire to fight Europe but cautioned that continued Western efforts to impose a strategic defeat on Russia could produce consequences far beyond the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to Russian state news agency TASS, Putin invoked the devastating conflicts of the previous century, referring to “the tragic pages of history” and arguing that Moscow wants to prevent “anything like this happens on a global scale” again. At the same time, the Russian leader made clear that his military would be prepared for a confrontation if European governments pursued one. Putin accused unspecified Western countries of seeking to “inflict a strategic defeat on Russia” and questioned whether European military preparations for a possible conflict by the end of the decade were realistic. “Many people are talking about preparing for war by 2030. Is this right or wrong? First of all, we are prepared, but we don’t want any war with Europe… as for them, if someone wants it, let them prepare. However, they failed to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia this time and it is unlikely to become possible by 2030”. Putin warned that efforts to defeat Moscow through continued military and financial support for Ukraine could “go too far,” suggesting that a wider conflict would be catastrophic for all parties involved. He declared that if such a war erupted, “there will be no winners”. The Russian president also issued a warning concerning the Baltic Sea, suggesting that tensions between Moscow and NATO could create a maritime confrontation comparable to the recent crisis in the Persian Gulf. The Baltic has become an increasingly sensitive strategic region since Finland and Sweden joined NATO, leaving Russia surrounded by alliance members along much of the coastline. Moscow nevertheless retains important access to the sea through St. Petersburg and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, situated between Poland and Lithuania. Putin suggested that Western pressure on Russian maritime interests could trigger a confrontation resembling the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during the recent conflict involving Iran. “there will be a situation similar to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Does anyone want the same situation to develop in the Baltic Sea as in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz? I don’t know. We don’t want that… We do not want this. But we will respond to any challenge.” The remarks appeared intended to warn European governments against measures that Moscow might interpret as interference with Russian shipping or access to Baltic ports, although Putin did not announce any specific military operation. Putin also addressed recent diplomatic contacts with European leaders, saying Moscow remains willing to restore relations despite the deep divisions created by the war in Ukraine. The Russian president referred to a telephone conversation earlier this week with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. He defended their decision to speak with him despite criticism from other European capitals, saying dialogue was preferable to continued isolation. According to Reuters, Putin said Russia supported efforts to reestablish normal diplomatic relations with European countries, whether through the European Union or direct bilateral discussions. The latest warnings come as European governments continue strengthening their defenses amid concerns about Russian military activity and the possibility of a wider confrontation with NATO. Moscow has repeatedly accused Western governments of provoking an escalation by arming Ukraine, while European leaders have argued that Russia’s invasion and continued military operations are the principal threats to regional security. {Matzav.com}