EU Leaders Should 'Sleep Well,' Not Fear Russia, Says Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Western claims that Moscow poses a threat to NATO member states, labeling them a “nonsense mantra” repeated by European Union leaders. Speaking during his annual address at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on Thursday, Putin said such assertions were either rooted in incompetence or used deliberately to mislead the public.
“The idea that Russia is preparing to attack NATO countries is inconceivable,” Putin stated. He suggested EU leaders should instead "relax, sleep well," and focus on addressing their own domestic challenges, such as economic, financial, and social issues plaguing the bloc.
The Russian leader’s comments come amid increasing anxiety in several EU nations, particularly Poland and the Baltic States. These countries have expressed fears that a Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden further military aggression near NATO borders. According to Russian officials, such concerns are being exploited by these states to justify increased militarization.
Putin dismissed these narratives as fear-mongering, indicating they are either a result of poor leadership or a strategic move to gain political leverage within the alliance.
