Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia is prepared for a potential war with Europe while insisting that Moscow does not want such a conflict, as fighting continued in Ukraine and a Russian drone strike killed at least 13 people.
Putin made the comments while discussing a phone call Tuesday with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere. The two leaders spoke with Putin about the war in Ukraine in an effort to press for de-escalation and influence the Kremlin’s position.
“There would be no winners.” — Vladimir Putin
Putin said Russia supports efforts to restore relations with European countries but warned that an escalation could produce a conflict in which neither side would prevail. He also said Moscow did not want the Baltic Sea to face conditions comparable to those in the Strait of Hormuz.
Nordic leaders defend direct contact
Stubb and Stoere said they held what Stoere described as frank and substantive discussions with Putin. Stoere said the two leaders had emphasized the importance of de-escalation and expressed strong support for Ukraine.
The decision to speak directly with Putin drew criticism from other Nordic leaders. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged European governments to remain united over Ukraine. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said other European leaders had also not been informed about the talks.
The discussions took place as European governments continued to assess the risks posed by Russia’s war and the possibility of broader confrontation. Earlier this week, Britain’s defense secretary, Wes Streeting, said the United Kingdom must be prepared for war within 1,000 days. He warned that the country’s adversaries could be ready to attack by 2030, and the British government has urged residents to keep basic supplies including canned food and bottled water.
Deadly strike in central Ukraine
A jet-powered Russian drone hit two trains stopped at a station in central Ukraine on Thursday, Ukrainian officials said. The attack killed at least 13 people and injured 10, according to the officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strike as a horrific attack on passenger trains in Dnipro. The city is in central Ukraine, far from the country’s front line, and the trains were stopped at a station when they were hit.
- Putin’s warning: Russia is prepared for a potential war with Europe, but he said Moscow does not want one.
- Diplomatic contact: The presidents of Finland and the prime minister of Norway spoke with Putin Tuesday and pressed for de-escalation and support for Ukraine.
- Ukraine casualties: Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone strike on two trains killed at least 13 people and wounded 10.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago. The two countries have continued fighting despite a truce in and around the southern Ukrainian city described as devastated by the war, which began Tuesday.
