Putin: “There will be no winners in this war”

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on statements by European politicians about the likelihood of war with Russia.

He said this while speaking with journalists at the end of the Russia-Africa summit.

Putin warned of the likelihood of the conflict with Europe escalating into a war in which there would be no winning side.

“Many talk of nothing but preparing for war by 2030, whether that is right or not. We, first of all, are ready. But we do not want any war with Europe. If someone wants one — let them prepare,” he said.

He added that “there will be no winners in this war, let them not forget that,” apparently making clear that if such a war happens, it will be nuclear.

At the same time, the Russian leader separately addressed the results of the European Union’s strategy. In his view, the leaders of EU countries have still not managed to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, and they are unlikely to achieve such a goal even by 2030.

Earlier, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre over a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin.