Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to European nations, declaring that Russia is prepared for immediate conflict if Europe chooses the path of war. This statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts led by US negotiators to broker a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.
Putin's Stark Warning to Europe
Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow on Tuesday, December 2, Putin accused European countries of lacking a peaceful agenda and actively supporting the war effort in Ukraine. He claimed they are pushing for demands from the conflict that are unacceptable to Moscow.
"We're not planning to go to war with Europe, I've said that a hundred times," Putin stated. "But if Europe suddenly wants to fight us and starts, we're ready right now. There can be no doubt about that." He escalated his rhetoric with a further warning, suggesting that if Europe initiates a war, a situation could quickly develop where "we have no one to negotiate with."
Diplomatic Moves and Conflicting Claims
Putin also accused European powers of obstructing the US administration and former President Donald Trump in their attempts to reach a negotiated peace. On the ground, he asserted that the city of Pokrovsk is now under the full control of the Russian army, a claim that was promptly rejected by Ukrainian officials.
In response to recent attacks on Russian tankers, which he labelled as "piracy," Putin vowed that Russia would expand its strikes on Ukrainian ports and ships.
Zelenskyy's Cautious Optimism on Peace Talks
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed cautious hope during a press conference in Dublin alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. Zelenskyy, who was making the first official visit by a Ukrainian head of state to Ireland, stated he was awaiting the results of US negotiations in Moscow.
US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are currently holding talks with Putin regarding a US-proposed peace plan. Zelenskyy indicated he was ready to meet Trump again, but that the prospect depended on the success of the Moscow discussions.
He described the present moment as "one of the most challenging but optimistic moments" since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, noting that the US "is taking serious steps to end this war one way or another." While he admitted "some things still need to be worked out," Zelenskyy stressed that the goal must be a "decent, dignified peace" and warned there should be "no games behind Ukraine's back."
The Ukrainian leader concluded that the chances for ending the conflict are "better now than ever," but cautioned that there would be "no easy decisions." The world now watches as high-stakes diplomacy unfolds against the backdrop of Putin's ominous military readiness.
