Putin Says Russia Is Ready to Normalize Relations With Europe
The Russian president says Moscow is prepared to resume relations and cooperation with European neighbors while accusing some European leaders of preparing for confrontation with Russia.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared Russia’s readiness to resume relations and cooperation with its European neighbors, saying Moscow has no hostile intentions toward the European continent.
Speaking Friday during a meeting of Russia’s military-industrial commission, Putin said external threats against Russia had not diminished, arguing that NATO continues to expand and extend its influence into other parts of the world, according to Russia’s TASS news agency.
Putin also criticized the positions of Western countries, saying some European leaders were openly discussing preparations for a war with Russia.
According to Putin, those statements reflect attempts by European leaders to conceal economic and social problems and recover lost public support, while their citizens have clearly opposed any form of war with Moscow in elections.
Addressing the situation in Ukraine, Putin accused authorities in Kyiv of attempting to prevent a peace agreement.
As an example, he cited the killing of Yelena Ostanina, head of the electoral commission in the Zaporizhzhia region, who he said was killed several days ago in a Ukrainian attack.
Putin described Ukrainian authorities as a group of corrupt officials who, he claimed, oppose elections in order to remain in power and continue taking funds sent to them from Europe.
Putin also presented a new project to expand Russia’s military capabilities and develop its defense industry.
He ordered the accelerated completion of Russia’s satellite systems, with the stated aim of strengthening intelligence capabilities and enabling the country to manage its armed forces rapidly and directly through the internet.
He also said Russia’s new programs would focus on strengthening its air-defense systems to counter any aerial attack.
At the same time, he emphasized the development of unmanned aircraft, robotic systems and precision weapons to confront external threats.
Putin’s remarks come shortly after US President Donald Trump signed into law a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia over its war in Ukraine.
The legislation targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors, as well as Putin and other senior Russian officials. It also targets Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions.
The law gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, potentially affecting countries including China and India. The tariffs are not imposed automatically but can be applied by the US president under the new authority.
The legislation also allows sanctions against companies and foreign actors supporting Russia’s military or helping it evade US restrictions, while extending sanctions involving Iran.
The Republican-led US House of Representatives passed the package by 262-159 on Wednesday, following Senate approval.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had described the legislation’s passage as symbolic and thanked US lawmakers, while India said it would continue purchasing oil through what it called “diversified sourcing.”
Trump’s signing of the law comes about a week before his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.
Against that backdrop of increased US economic pressure on Moscow, Putin has presented Russia as ready to restore relations and cooperation with European neighbors while outlining further measures to strengthen the country’s military and defense capabilities.