MOSCOW (Dispatches) — President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday warned that Russia is ready to fight a war with Europe if provoked, following NATO’s recent signals that it may adopt pre-emptive measures against Moscow. 
Speaking at the VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum in Moscow, Putin stated, “We are not planning to go to war with Europe, but if Europe wants to and starts, we are ready right now.” 
He accused European powers of imposing unacceptable conditions on a potential peace settlement in Ukraine and suggested that their actions undermine ongoing U.S.-led diplomatic efforts.
The Russian leader’s remarks came as NATO officials, including Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the NATO Military Committee, indicated the alliance might consider “more aggressive” or “pre-emptive” measures in response to repeated Russian drone incursions, cyberattacks, and sabotage of critical infrastructure in Europe. 
Dragone described such action as potentially defensive, albeit unusual for NATO, and highlighted the legal and operational challenges involved. 
He stressed that NATO is “studying everything” to determine how to deter Moscow effectively as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year.
A recent Financial Times investigation detailed a series of incidents in the Baltic Sea, where vessels allegedly dragged anchors to damage undersea energy and communication cables. In addition, European countries have faced repeated cyberattacks and incursions into NATO airspace. 
NATO launched Operation Baltic Sentry earlier this year to strengthen patrols in the region, deploying aircraft, warships, and drones, and to monitor Russia’s “shadow fleet”—vessels with unclear ownership used to transport sanctioned oil. 
Putin also criticized European powers for limiting contact with Russia, which he argued has prevented them from participating in meaningful peace talks. 
His comments coincided with meetings in Moscow involving U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are negotiating a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Washington and Kyiv have agreed on a revised 20-point peace plan, adjusted from the original 28-point roadmap proposed last month. 
Zelensky described the ongoing talks as “one of the most challenging and yet optimistic moments” for peace in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, fighting has intensified around the strategic city of Pokrovsk, with Russian forces claiming capture—a claim denied by Ukraine. The military developments, coupled with NATO’s statements, underscore the heightened tension in Eastern Europe, as both sides weigh their strategic options.
Russia reacted strongly to NATO’s pre-emptive posture. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called Dragone’s remarks “extremely irresponsible” and warned they represent an attempt to escalate tensions, potentially risking consequences for NATO members themselves.