'Pure Nonsense’: Putin Dismisses NATO Chief’s Warning Of ‘Major War’ With Russia

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 20:16 IST

Vladimir Putin said Western leaders were misleading their citizens by promoting the idea of an imminent Russian attack on Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected what he described as calls in the West to prepare for a “major war" with Russia, calling such warnings “hysteria" and “a lie". He accused Western leaders of deliberately stoking fear among European populations by portraying Moscow as a looming military threat. Vladimir Putin’s remarks came in response to comments made last week by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who urged alliance members to be ready for a conflict on a scale not seen since World War Two.

Vladimir Putin said Western leaders were misleading their citizens by promoting the idea of an imminent Russian attack on Europe.

“I have repeatedly stated: this is a lie, nonsense, pure nonsense about some imaginary Russian threat to European countries," Vladimir Putin said, adding, “But this is being done quite deliberately."

He added that Europeans were being “indoctrinated" with fear and accused Western governments of whipping up hysteria to justify increased military spending and defence mobilisation.

What NATO Chief Mark Rutte Said

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that NATO must be prepared for the “scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured" and said many alliance members did not fully grasp the urgency of the threat posed by Russia.

“We are Russia’s next target. Too many don’t feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not," Mark Rutte said, adding that Europe was at risk of complacency.

Mark Rutte also urged NATO members to rapidly increase defence spending and military production to deter a future conflict.

Vladimir Putin On Ukraine War

Vladimir Putin also addressed the war in Ukraine, warning Kyiv and its Western backers that Russia would pursue its territorial claims by military means if peace talks fail.

“The goals of the special military operation will certainly be achieved," Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Russian defence ministry officials, referring to the invasion of Ukraine.

He said Moscow preferred a diplomatic solution but warned that Russia would annex claimed Ukrainian territory through force if “the opposing country and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions".

News world 'Pure Nonsense’: Putin Dismisses NATO Chief’s Warning Of ‘Major War’ With Russia

Read More