Putin accuses Baltics of violating Russian speakers' rights, vows to spare EU
Photo: Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian leader Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow is aware of the alleged violations of the rights of Russian-speaking populations in the Baltic countries. At the same time, he assured that Russia is not preparing for combat operations against Europe, according to Russian state media.
According to Putin, Moscow is aware of the situation regarding Russian speakers in the Baltic countries and has allegedly already developed an approach to responding to it.
"We know that the rights of the Russian-speaking population are being violated in the Baltic countries. But we already know how to respond, and we have developed a certain approach to this. We are responding in terms of humanitarian aid and international law," the leader stated.
Separately, he commented on the tension in relations between Russia and Europe. Putin called statements by EU countries about the threat from Russia a deliberate exaggeration and provocation.
"I want to emphasize once again: we are not preparing for any combat operations with Europe. We have no such plans and, most importantly, no grounds for them. There are no real motives for escalating the situation with Europe," he said.
The Russian leader also claimed that EU authorities are allegedly deliberately deceiving Europeans in order to use Ukrainians as cannon fodder.
Russian provocations in Europe and the Baltic countries
Since last year, Moscow's actions regarding drone provocations on the territory of NATO countries have become more aggressive. After the mass incursion of Russian drones into Poland last year, the Kremlin has periodically provoked Alliance countries with drones, although the Baltic countries suffer the most from this.
Danish intelligence warned that Russia intends to intensify hybrid attacks on NATO.
The Baltic countries, in turn, are already asking the EU for half a billion euros to combat Russian UAVs.
