If Europe wants war, 'we are ready': Putin, rejects European peace proposals for Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday issued one of his starkest warnings yet to European governments, saying Moscow is prepared to fight if EU states choose to escalate tensions. 

Speaking in Moscow, Putin said that any European attempt to launch a war against Russia would lead to a swift and devastating response, claiming there would be “no one left to negotiate with.”

The remarks come nearly four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II. Despite early aims of a rapid victory, Russia has failed to seize control of Ukraine, which continues to receive military and financial support from the United States and European countries.

European leaders and Kyiv have repeatedly argued that a Russian victory could embolden Moscow to target a NATO member state—a claim Putin dismissed once again as “nonsense.” Asked about reports that Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó had warned Europe was preparing for war with Russia, Putin insisted Moscow does not seek confrontation but stood by his threat of overwhelming retaliation.

He also suggested that Russia’s operations in Ukraine do not represent the extent of its military capabilities, describing them as “surgical” compared to how a direct conflict with Europe would unfold.

Accusations Against Europe Over Peace Talks

Putin accused European governments of undermining efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to advance negotiations aimed at ending the war. He claimed European states proposed peace terms they knew Moscow would reject, enabling them to blame Russia for a lack of progress.

“European states have isolated themselves from peace talks by cutting off dialogue with us,” he said. “They are on the side of war.”

The United States estimates that more than 1.2 million Ukrainian and Russian troops have been killed since the conflict began, though neither side publicly discloses casualty figures.

Threats Over Black Sea Attacks

Putin also issued new warnings over recent Ukrainian drone strikes on vessels in Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea, calling the attacks a violation of international norms.

“Such actions become piracy when conducted in the exclusive economic zone of a third country,” he said.

The Russian leader vowed expanded retaliation, including increased strikes on Ukrainian ports and on ships entering those ports. He warned that Moscow could target vessels belonging to countries assisting Ukraine if attacks continue.

Putin said Russia could take an even more severe step—cutting Ukraine’s access to the sea entirely—though he acknowledged such a move would further escalate tensions.

Claims of Territorial Control

Putin reiterated previous claims that a strategically significant city—described as a key base for fulfilling Russian military objectives—is “fully under the control” of Russian forces.

The comments appeared aimed in part at deepening divisions between Washington and European capitals over the direction of future peace proposals. European states have suggested revisions to earlier frameworks viewed as favourable to Moscow, while the Kremlin continues to frame Western support for Kyiv as the chief obstacle to negotiations.

Zelenskyy outlines path to peace

Speaking in Dublin alongside Irish prime minister Micheál Martin on Tuesday, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy stated that “now, more than ever, there is a chance to end this war” with a 20-point peace plan, though he admitted “some things still need to be worked out.”

Zelenskyy identified three sensitive and important issues remaining in the negotiations:

• Discussions over territory.
• The use of frozen assets.
• Future security guarantees for Ukraine.

“I think these three topics the most sensitive and the most important. And I think that our teams will continue to work on it,” he said, stressing that Kyiv wanted to “stop the war in such a manner that in one year, Russia would not come back with a third invasion.”

The Ukrainian president insisted that “nothing should be decided about Ukraine without Ukraine,” while admitting there were “no simple solutions” to ending the war. He added that Kyiv would “wait for the results in US-Russia negotiations” and react accordingly, with potential follow-up meetings.

Ireland backs EU stance

Irish Prime Minister Martin declared that Putin “must never be allowed to succeed” in his war on Ukraine. He backed EU plans to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction needs, arguing that such a mechanism provides “deterrence against such behaviour into the future.”

Martin welcomed Ukraine into the European Union, telling Zelenskyy that “your struggle is our struggle” and wishing Ukraine the same opportunities Ireland has benefited from.

Zelenskyy concluded by speaking about the need to hold Russia “accountable for the aggression and war crimes,” with a special tribunal working on this issue, and thanked the Irish communities that have welcomed Ukrainian refugees.