Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia has never threatened European countries and does not threaten them now [1, 2].
The statement comes as Moscow rejects accusations from European officials regarding a mortar shell that fell on a building in Romania [1, 2]. This incident has intensified diplomatic tensions between Russia and the European Union, with the latter suggesting Russian responsibility for the strike [1, 2].
Speaking during a press conference in Kazakhstan, Putin said he dismissed the claims that Russia was behind the Romanian incident [1, 2]. He framed the accusations as part of a broader strategy by European nations to maintain a state of conflict with the Kremlin [1, 2].
Putin said that the actions of these countries are intended to justify high budget expenditures [1, 2]. He specifically argued that European leaders are using the narrative of a Russian threat to justify taking money from the pockets of European taxpayers [1, 2].
"Russia has never threatened European countries, nor does it threaten them now," Putin said [1].
He further described the current political climate in Europe as an attempt to prolong confrontation for financial and political gain [1, 2]. According to Putin, the focus on Russian aggression serves as a pretext for the continued allocation of massive funds toward defense and security budgets [1, 2].
"Everything these countries do is only aimed at continuing the confrontation with Russia and justifying the exorbitant expenditures from their budgets," Putin said [1].
The Romanian government had previously raised concerns over the origin of the mortar shell, though Putin said that Russia has no interest in threatening the sovereignty of European states [1, 2].
“Russia has never threatened European countries, nor does it threaten them now”
This exchange highlights the deepening divide between Moscow and European capitals, where a single kinetic incident in Romania becomes a catalyst for broader ideological arguments. By framing European security concerns as a financial ploy to tax citizens, Putin is attempting to undermine the internal political cohesion of EU nations and shift the narrative from military aggression to economic opportunism.
