Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated there will be no more wars after Ukraine if Russia is treated with respect—downplaying allegations of Moscow's intent to attack European nations as 'nonsense.'
In a televised event lasting almost four and a half hours, he was queried by the BBC's Steve Rosenberg on whether there would be further 'special military operations'—Putin's term for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 'There won't be any operations if you treat us with respect, if you respect our interests just as we've always tried to respect yours,' he asserted.
Putin reiterated earlier claims of no war plans against Europe, but noted that Russia is prepared 'right now' if Europeans desire conflict. He emphasized that there will be no further invasions 'if you don’t cheat us like you cheated us with NATO's eastward expansion.'
Throughout the 'Direct Line' event, selected questions from the public and journalists were addressed, with Putin situated beneath a large map of Russia that included regions occupied in Ukraine. State television reported over three million questions submitted for the session.
His comments came shortly after a missile strike in Ukraine's Odesa region resulted in casualties, highlighting ongoing military clashes as Russia's invasion unfolded in February 2022.
Despite Putin's claims of Russian military advancements in Ukraine, he faced inquiries about the nation's ailing economy and rising prices, alongside remarks from the public critiquing the handling of various domestic issues like internet outages and poor water quality. He pledged to examine public concerns and stressed the importance of economic resilience amid rising costs.
The broadcast included lighter moments when Putin shared personal reflections on various topics, including ideas on friendship and love, indicating a mix of serious political discourse and personal musings.
As ongoing tensions continue, Putin's insistence on respect and equality in international relations remains unyielding, with demands for territorial concessions in Ukraine not showing signs of compromise.
