Putin: Russia has no plans to attack other states or countries

During a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia has no intention of attacking any other country.

He described Western statements about a possible Russian attack on Europe as “provocations or incompetence.”

Putin accused Western countries and NATO of seeking to absorb the entire post-Soviet space—a move that Moscow perceives as a threat.

Russia must respond to this, Putin said, and is pursuing no other goals than the protection of its national interests.

On the subject of Ukraine, he said he had never objected to the country joining the EU. NATO membership, on the other hand, was unacceptable to Russia.

However, this issue could be addressed in talks. Putin mentioned indirect contacts with the US in Alaska in this context and spoke of a possible rapprochement.

Putin announced “serious responses” to Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
He also expressed interest in cooperating with the US in connection with the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.

(reuters, sie)