Putin says Russia is ready for war with Europe, warns there would be no winners

Speaking to reporters after a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 29, Putin criticized European discussions about preparing for a possible military conflict with Russia by 2030.

"Many are talking only about preparing for war [with Russia] by 2030. Is that right? No. First of all, we are ready, but we do not want any war with Europe. If someone wants one, let them prepare," Putin said, according to Russian news agencies Interfax and TASS.

He also claimed that Western countries had failed to achieve what he described as their goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia through its war against Ukraine.

"And if things go too far, there will be no winners at all. Let no one forget that," Putin warned.

Putin also said he did not want the Baltic Sea to experience a crisis similar to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

The remarks come amid growing European concerns about Russia's military activities and suspected sabotage operations across the continent.

Putin and other Russian officials have repeatedly warned of a broader confrontation with NATO and suggested that such a conflict could have catastrophic consequences. Moscow has used similar warnings throughout its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while maintaining that it does not seek a direct war with European countries.