Putin complains about West preparing for war with Russia
Photo: Vladimir Putin, Russian President (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he "doesn’t like" the fact that Western countries are openly talking about preparing for war in case of possible aggression from Moscow. As a "justification," he also referred to Joseph Stalin, Putin made the statement during a speech to graduates of Russia’s higher military educational institutions.
"Now in the West, they openly declare that they are preparing for war with us and are increasing their military and offensive budgets. To justify such spending and the radical militarization of states, the leaders of NATO and EU countries continue to use false claims about an alleged Russian military threat," the Russian President complained.
According to him, the West first allegedly creates threats for Russia and then "forces" it to take measures. After that, Russians are "accused of all mortal sins."
"Even after the treacherous attack on the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, the West, Nazi Germany, tried to accuse the USSR and Stalin of aggression against the collective West," Putin added.
He claimed that Russia stands for "equal and indivisible security for all," but is ready to "respond promptly and adequately to any external and internal threats."
World War II began with the aggression of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, which effectively divided Poland between them.
Russia’s preparation for a war with NATO
European countries have repeatedly stated that, within several years, Russia could be ready to launch an attack on NATO member states.
In particular, according to Lithuanian intelligence services, Russia could be fully prepared for a war with the North Atlantic Alliance in as little as six years.
At the same time, as NATO senior military official Giuseppe Cavo Dragone said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Russia seeks to regain control over the territories it held before the collapse of the USSR.
