Putin: Not preparing for conflict with Europe

 

TT-AFP 

Published  21.31

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin appearing at an international cultural forum in St. Petersburg. Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky/AP/TT

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the country is not preparing for a conflict with Europe "in any way."

The Kremlin’s statement to reporters on Friday follows warnings from several European countries regarding sabotage and hybrid attacks carried out by Russia—or via proxies—against European territory. Denmark also raised its security alert level on Thursday.

Putin says there is "no real motive" to escalate conflicts with European countries. He also claims that Russia is ready for negotiations regarding the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, "but such negotiations must be conducted in well-considered steps."

The Russian president can be satisfied with his power base, as his party, United Russia, secured over 58 percent of the vote in the parliamentary elections for the Duma—elections that international observers consider neither free nor fair.