New Delhi/Moscow, September 12 (H.S.): Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning over the possible deployment of troops from European NATO member states in Ukraine. He said that if European NATO countries send their forces to Ukraine, Russia would regard it as a direct military confrontation with Russia. Putin made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Friday on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

According to Russia Today (RT), Russia’s international television news network, Putin said Russia was not threatening European countries and had no intention of doing so. However, he made it clear that the presence of European NATO forces in Ukraine could turn the conflict into a direct confrontation between Russia and the West. He said some European countries were considering sending troops to Ukraine. Russia has previously made clear that the deployment of NATO forces in Ukraine, whether under the guise of security guarantees or a peacekeeping mission, would not be acceptable to Moscow.

Putin blamed the policies of Western leaders for Europe’s current political and economic difficulties. He said that European leaders had made several “systemic mistakes” in foreign policy, security and economic decision-making since the end of the Cold War, the consequences of which were now becoming apparent. He alleged that Western leaders and global elites had become convinced that they had reached the highest levels of power and influence and could not make mistakes.

Growing Discontent Among European Public

Putin claimed that ordinary European citizens were increasingly beginning to understand the impact of current policies. Citing the stronger performance of right-wing parties in recent regional elections, he said public dissatisfaction with the policies of Europe’s current leadership was growing.

Russia has long described Western efforts to bring Ukraine into NATO and the alliance’s eastward expansion as threats to its security. Moscow considers these developments among the key factors behind the conflict in Ukraine. Western countries, however, reject Russia’s claims and maintain that they support Ukraine’s security and sovereignty.

Putin alleged that Ukraine and its European supporters were seeking to temporarily halt the conflict rather than pursue a permanent settlement, thereby giving the Ukrainian military time to replenish its weapons and resources. Against this backdrop, the prospect of NATO troops being deployed in Ukraine could further intensify tensions between Russia and the West.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar