Vladimir Putin: “I would like to emphasise once again that we are not preparing for hostilities with Europe. We have no such plans, no reasons and, most importantly, no real motives for aggravating the situation with Europe, regardless of what is being said, including by the Baltic states”

Photo: TASS

Vladimir Putin answered to media questions.

September 25, 2026

Question: Mr President, you said earlier that the trilateral format negotiations of Russia, the United States and Ukraine could resume after the State Duma elections. The elections have concluded. Where and when could a new round of negotiations take place?

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: As is well known, the Ukrainian side broke off the negotiations that were held in Istanbul. But now – or rather, even before the elections, about 10 days or a couple of weeks ago – it declared its readiness to resume these negotiations. Indeed, we said that negotiations are unlikely to be held before the State Duma elections, and that we will be ready to resume these contacts following them.

However, the recent developments are also well known to everyone. On the night of September 20, that is, on the main voting day, a massive strike was launched against Moscow. More than 1,600 drones entered the area near Moscow. This is the first point.

Second. Strikes were carried out on polling stations. In one location, the polling station was located in a school; the school was virtually destroyed by the strike. Attacks began on the residential homes of the chairpersons of territorial election commissions. In one case, the chairperson of a territorial commission, her husband and her child were injured. In another case, it unfortunately resulted in tragedy, and, as you know, the chair of the territorial election commission was killed as her home was the target of the strike.

In addition, as we are currently in St Petersburg, I think everyone remembers the St Petersburg International Economic Forum being held, when the Ukrainian authorities targeted St Petersburg, hitting the so-called coal harbour in the port and setting it on fire. Who did they want to scare, us or our guests? Those who work with Russia are unlikely to be scared of anything or run away. And no one did. We held that forum to the end.

Then, starting in June, they began targeting our oil refineries. As is also well known, in June they announced the start of a 40-day operation. Well, this led to certain losses on our part.

In addition, they tried to organise a naval blockade of our Black Sea coast. They damaged over 100 ships, 100 vessels, including both Russian ones and those flying foreign flags. Yes, we have restored all of this. But these are active operations that…

After that, they started targeting civilian facilities such as Wildberries or Ozon storage facilities. What is this? What’s the point? Nevertheless, it has been done.

After that, we started responding to each item. Well, it appears that the retaliatory actions by the Russian Armed Forces have been so sensitive and devastating for the enemy that they are now once again actively raising the issue of a ceasefire across several areas, as they themselves put it: the energy sector (that is, they are now ready to stop attacking our oil refineries), and the air sector (a mutual ceasefire). In particular, we see that they want us to stop the strikes by Geran drones – modern Gerans – against which, there are no countermeasures or an antidote, at least now, and to lift the blockade of their Black Sea coast. However, they are the ones who started it all. They started it on every single point.

What is this, child’s play? Is this some kind of a children’s game? In other words, they must feel the retaliatory blows from Russia and understand that no provocations and no escalation of the situation will bring about the desired result for them. They are only making the situation worse for themselves.

Therefore, all these actions aimed at so‑called reconciliation, and the proposal to resume negotiations, they are all on the table, all this is possible. But after everything they have done, we will think twice about what we need to do in response. And in any case, we will make all decisions in this area, including those regarding the possible resumption of the negotiation process, based on the interests of the Russian Federation.

Question: Regrettably, we have grown used to the wave of Russophobia from Europe. The other day, Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem stated that they would kill every Russian who crossed the border, and – hear this! – if the Russians don’t attack first, it’s best for Estonians to do this. This is crazy. But this has been said by the defence minister of a neighbouring country, a NATO member state. Howe should be react to this?

Vladimir Putin: This is certainly a provocation and a deliberate attempt by European countries to aggravate the situation. Many in Europe say that they are expecting an attack by the Russian Federation and so must prepare for hostilities, for a war with Russia.

I would like to emphasise once again that we are not preparing for hostilities with Europe. We have no such plans, no reasons and, most importantly, no real motives for aggravating the situation with Europe, regardless of what is being said, including by the Baltic states.

We know that the rights of Russian speakers are being violated there, but we know how to react to this, and we have developed a certain approach to this matter. We are responding in the humanitarian sphere, based on international law. The idea of “non-citizenship” has been invented in the Baltic countries. It is not about citizens, foreigners or persons with dual nationality, but about “non-citizens.” This is nonsense. However, this nonsense has become a fact of international life over many years.

We will continue fighting for the rights of our compatriots, but we will do this in accordance with international law. We have never intended to use, never used and will never use any other instruments.

There is only one explanation for the attempts by certain aggressive circles to aggravate the situation: they want to continue using Ukraine and Ukrainians as cannon fodder and a tool in the fight against Russia, seeking to prevent our further development, to hinder it, to slow down Russia’s advancement.

To be able to continue investing in this absolutely aggressive behaviour and to explain to their citizens why they are doing this, they are trying to dupe the citizens of European countries with the idea that Russia is allegedly planning to attack someone. This is complete nonsense, just like that person’s ravings about… What did he say they would do?

Remark: He said that they themselves should attack and that they will kill all Russians.

Vladimir Putin: It is what we in Russia describe with the phrase “The circus has left, but the clowns have stayed.” This is political clownery

I believe that the population of Estonia is 1.3 million or slightly more. The Russian army alone, not to mention the population of the Russian Federation, is 1.535 million. Estonia’s population is 1.3 million, which includes babies and senior citizens. It is clear that this is complete nonsense. Regrettably, this is the kind of people we have to deal with in modern-day Western Europe.

Question: As is known, negotiations between the President of China and the President of the United States are currently underway in the United States. What do you think about this? Are you jealous? Are you planning to attend the APEC summit in China, where a trilateral meeting can be held?

Vladimir Putin: Jealousy is something from a completely different sphere, the sphere of a human nature, relations between a man and a woman. I do not think such categories are applicable in international politics. We welcome the negotiations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.

Why? Because these are the two largest economies in the world, and depending on the outcome of their negotiations on the contentious issues, the controversial issues stemming from the US-imposed illegitimate sanctions, and what kind of agreements are reached, this will affect the entire global economy, including our economy.

Yes, our relations with the United States have almost been reduced to zero. But our trade turnover with the People's Republic of China is US$240 billion. That’s a decent amount. And our trade keeps growing.

Furthermore, we have a very important sphere for further development, both for us and for the People’s Republic of China. And, of course, the overall development of international economic relations is of great importance. Therefore, we welcome any positive agreements between China and the United States.

Remark: What about the APEC summit?

Vladimir Putin: Oh, the APEC summit. We still need to make a final decision. Everything will depend on the situation in the country, in our country. When deciding whether or not to participate in an international event, I always take into account the situation unfolding within the Russian Federation.

But overall, this is a major and serious event, and I have received an invitation. I believe it will be useful to work on such a platform. I have told President Xi Jinping about this. I am inclined to take part in that event. However, as I have said, this will ultimately depend on the situation in Russia.

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