Putin denies European war plans while threatening Ukraine with retaliation over election strikes

Denial of European offensive plans

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed international security concerns on Friday, 25 September 2026, during the 12th International Forum of United Cultures in Saint Petersburg. The cultural event, running from 24 to 26 September, convened representatives from 73 countries and seven international organisations under strict municipal security measures that included mobile internet shutdowns. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the forum, Putin stated that Russia does not intend to initiate military conflict with European countries. He claimed that European leaders are cultivating fear of Russian aggression to justify their domestic rearmament programs and defence spending. The Russian leader described European warnings as deliberate provocations and claimed Western governments are using Ukraine as a tool against Moscow.

I want to emphasize once again: we are not preparing for any military actions against Europe.

Baltic allegations and ceasefire conditions

During the briefing, Putin accused Baltic states of infringing upon the rights of Russian-speaking populations within their borders. He stated that the Russian government is monitoring the situation and intends to respond through humanitarian mechanisms under international legal frameworks. Turning to the war in Ukraine, Putin stated that a negotiated settlement remains an option for Moscow. However, he noted that the Russian government must first calculate what course of action serves its best interests before committing to any peace agreement.

Retaliation warnings over election strikes

Putin stated that Moscow intended to resume negotiations with Kyiv after the conclusion of Russian parliamentary elections the previous week. He asserted that talks were halted after Ukrainian forces launched cross-border strikes against Russian territory, hitting polling stations during the vote. Putin also noted that Ukrainian forces had targeted logistics hubs, saying Moscow did not understand why commercial storage warehouses belonging to e-commerce companies Ozon and Wildberries were attacked. Warning of a sustained response against Kyiv, Putin stated that Ukraine would face the consequences of Russian retaliatory operations.

They started it. Everywhere, on every front. Are these games, child's play? They should therefore feel Russia's retaliatory strikes and understand that no provocations or attempts to escalate the situation to achieve a specific result will work. They are only worsening their own situation.

Diplomatic stalemate and regional military posture

Broader diplomatic negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv remain stalled. Peace talks previously initiated by Washington produced no agreements and reached an impasse following the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran. Regional defence activity on NATO's eastern flank continues to develop simultaneously. Lithuania reinforced the protection of strategic infrastructure sites situated near the border with Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast. Vilnius also confirmed the deployment of a new rotational contingent of United States troops to the country.