Russian President Vladimir Putin warned today that any sending of European troops to Ukraine would amount to "a war against Russia," during his participation in the BRICS summit in New Delhi. Putin emphasized that European leaders are considering how to send troops to Ukrainian territory, which would constitute an act of war against Moscow.
Putin assured that Moscow does not threaten European countries, stating that "no one even realizes that we have no reason to enter into conflict with Europe." The Russian President highlighted that European leaders "scare their populations with an imaginary threat" coming from Russia, adding that "this threat does not exist and never has existed."
Russia, which launched an offensive against Ukraine in February 2022, has always pointed to the sending of Western troops to Ukrainian territory as a "red line." This idea had been discussed by European leaders for several years, but it never came to fruition. Moscow justifies its offensive, among other reasons, by the threat that NATO expansion to its borders represents for it.
Putin also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as their impact on maritime trade and the safety of Indian sailors. The meeting took place before the BRICS summit, which continues until Sunday with an agenda dominated by the war in the Middle East and trade tensions.
