Putin refutes assertions of launching an assault on NATO as ‘nonsense’
Russian President Vladimir Putin has branded the notion of Russia instigating a confrontation with NATO nations in Eastern Europe as unfounded. During a visit to the Torzhok Air Base in the Tver Region, he responded to Western assertions that Moscow’s ambitions would stretch beyond Ukraine if it triumphed in battle.
“This is mere folly,” Putin declared, underscoring the substantial divergence in military expenditures between Russia and NATO forces.
He rebuffed the idea of Russia harbouring intentions to target Europe post-Ukraine. “The allegations of our intent to assault Europe following Ukraine are pure folly and a tactic to instill fear in their own populace merely to extract funds from them,” he expounded. According to a report from Russia Today, Putin reassured Eastern European nations, often denoted as US “satellites,” that they have no grounds for apprehension regarding a potential Russian intervention. He contended that the fearmongering perpetuated by certain governments about a Russian menace to nations such as Poland, the Czech Republic, or the Baltic states is solely a ploy to rationalize military spending. “To extract additional funds from the populace, to burden them with this weight,” Putin described the strategy.
Regarding NATO’s encroachment towards Russia, Putin highlighted that it is NATO that has been encroaching closer to Russia’s borders, not the other way around. He underscored Russia’s defensive posture, aimed at “shielding our people on our ancestral territories.” “They have approached right up to our borders… Did we journey across the seas to the United States’ borders? No, they are drawing nearer to us, and they have drawn very near,” Putin remarked, affirming that Russia’s actions are a reaction to NATO’s eastern expansion.
The Torzhok base, renowned for accommodating the 344th Training Centre for Russian combat aviators, plays a pivotal role in preparing personnel for engagement in the Ukrainian conflict. Putin’s remarks come amidst heightened tensions between Russia and NATO, with both sides trading accusations of provocative manoeuvres.
