MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin categorically rejected the assertion by US President Joe Biden that Russia would attack a NATO country if it succeeded in the war in Ukraine. Putin dismissed Biden’s remarks as “complete nonsense,” emphasizing that Russia holds no interest in engaging with the NATO military alliance.
In an interview with Rossiya state television published on Sunday, Putin remarked that Biden’s statements seemed aimed at justifying his own “mistaken policy” on Russia. He stated, “Russia has no reason, no interest – no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military – to fight with NATO countries.”
The conflict in Ukraine has strained Moscow’s relations with the West significantly, drawing comparisons to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Last year, Biden warned that a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia could lead to World War Three, especially if Russia emerged victorious in Ukraine.
Russia’s Security Concerns
Putin dismissed the notion of Russia attacking a NATO country, asserting that such a scenario is baseless. He has consistently criticized NATO’s post-Cold War expansion, viewing it as a dismissive approach to Russia’s security concerns.
Regarding Finland’s potential entry into NATO in April, Putin indicated that it would compel Russia to “concentrate certain military units” near their northern border.
Putin also commented on the broader geopolitical landscape, emphasizing that the West needs to understand the profound changes brought about by the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. He criticized the West’s failure to grasp the shift and highlighted the absence of a genuine ideological basis for a confrontation between Russia and the West.
Putin reflected on his initial impressions of the world in 2000, admitting to a “naive impression” but noting that the reality was starkly different. He framed the current conflict as part of a larger struggle with the United States, suggesting that the West aims to divide Russia, exploit its natural resources, and eventually turn against China.
