Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a stark warning to European powers this week, declaring that if they choose to start a war with Russia, Moscow is ready to fight and the resulting defeat would be so devastating that there would be nobody left to negotiate a peace deal.
Putin made these comments while speaking with journalists in Moscow on December 2, 2025, during the VTB Investment Forum Russia Calling! This isn’t just a tough talk; it’s a direct threat. He used the Russian word for “war” when detailing the potential conflict, emphasizing that if Europe “suddenly wants to start a war with us and starts it,” the engagement would end so quickly for Europe that Russia wouldn’t have anyone left to negotiate a settlement with, per Reuters.
