Putin says deployment of European troops to Ukraine would mean war with Russia - Anadolu Ajansı

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Europe is pushing its countries toward war with Russia, warning that deploying European troops to Ukraine would amount to war with Moscow, state-run news agency Tass reported.

“They are currently talking about how to send troops into Ukraine. That means war with Russia,” he told journalists.

Putin accused Western countries of attempting to “finish off” Russia by "using" Ukraine.

“Regarding security, the issue is clear: it is an attempt to 'finish off' the Russian Federation. First using terrorists and separatists in the Caucasus, then through other tools, and now via the neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine. Yet, it does not stop,” he said.

Putin also said Moscow does not threaten or seek to threaten European countries.

He said “European elites” are frightening their populations with what he called an “imaginary threat from Russia,” adding that Moscow has no grounds for conflict with Europe.

“We are not threatening, nor do we intend to threaten, European countries. Why would we? No one even considers the fact that we have no grounds for any conflict with Europe,” he said.

Putin also warned that Europe’s energy policy mistakes would lead to higher gas prices for consumers, while saying Russia sells its energy resources at market-based prices.