The Russian president says Moscow has ‘no interest … to fight with NATO countries’.
The Russian president has dismissed the USA’s claims that Moscow might assault a NATO nation sooner or later as “complete nonsense”, saying such a battle would run counter to his nation’s pursuits.
Vladimir Putin made the assertion in an interview with Russian state TV on Sunday, weeks after US President Joe Biden warned that if Putin achieved victory in Ukraine, he may be emboldened to assault a NATO ally, sparking a 3rd world conflict.
“It is complete nonsense – and I think President Biden understands that,” Putin informed state tv channel Rossiya.
“Russia has no reason, no interest – no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military – to fight with NATO countries.”
Putin added that Biden could also be attempting to stoke such fears to justify his “erroneous policy” within the area.
US-Russia relations have sunk to their lowest degree in a long time since Moscow invaded neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022.
All through the 22-month conflict, the US has offered Ukraine with $111bn in weapons, tools, and different assist, serving to the Ukrainians fend off Russia’s advance and regain some territory.
Biden favours sending much more assist to war-torn Ukraine, which is working quick on provides because it grinds to a bloody winter stalemate.
He has requested US Congress to approve $61.4bn in assist for Ukraine as half of a bigger $110bn bundle that features extra funds for Israel and different points.
Nonetheless, there’s waning urge for food within the Congress for the lingering conflict. Some Republican lawmakers have blocked the help bundle, demanding the White Home first take motion on border safety.
Biden on December 12 said right-wing lawmakers’ refusal to approve the bundle additionally risked handing President Putin a “Christmas gift” of victory.
“Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine,” Biden mentioned throughout a information convention with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “We must … prove him wrong.”
Tensions with Finland
Whereas Putin dismissed the prospect of a direct NATO feud, he did handle tensions with neighbouring Finland because it joined the alliance.
Finland, which grew to become a NATO member in April, on Friday shut down its whole jap border with Russia, which it accuses of orchestrating a migrant disaster on its border.
Putin mentioned he would reply to the deteriorating ties by opening up a army zone in its northwest.
“They [the West] dragged Finland into NATO. Did we have any disputes with them? All disputes, including territorial ones in the mid-20th century, have long been solved,” Putin mentioned.
“There were no problems there. Now there will be [problems] because we will create the Leningrad military district and concentrate a certain amount of military units there.”
