Putin Says ‘Ready for War’ Against Europe if Attacks on Russian Tankers, Energy Continue

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U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, and unofficial diplomat Jared Kushner were in the Kremlin on Tuesday (Dec. 2) for high-level talks with President Vladimir Putin. The Americans presented Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine in its current form following the highly charged meeting with the Ukrainian delegation in Miami, which focused on the cession of territory and future borders in the Donbas region.

President Putin’s public statements surrounding the meeting where the U.S. side officially presented the plan provided him with an opportunity to rail against Europe. If Europe started a war with Russia, there would soon be “no one left to negotiate with,” he warned, following recent aggressive statements and threats from several EU and NATO representatives.

Putin has issued an unusually clear warning to Europe: Russia does not want war, but is “ready immediately” should Europe initiate a conflict – and this war would not be comparable to the one in Ukraine, where, according to him, Moscow acted “surgically” and with restraint. Against Europe, however, this restraint would not apply.

Last month, the Kremlin issued a generally positive assessment of what it considered the Trump administration’s serious efforts to find a peaceful solution in Ukraine. Putin had previously stated that the now 19-point plan could provide a workable basis for a solution. Ultimately, the world could gain a better understanding of how this is progressing.

However, Putin is angered by the question of Europe, which was largely ignored in the U.S. peace plan. He condemned a series of drone attacks on oil and gas tankers carrying Russian energy exports as acts of “piracy”.

On Tuesday (Dec. 2), he also made it clear that Europe’s demands on Moscow were in no way acceptable, suggesting that they were deliberately aimed at provoking and angering Russia. According to Interfax, he said: “Europe is making nothing but unacceptable demands.” He added, “They are on the side of war,” referring to the Europeans.

“Russia has no intention of waging war against European countries. But if Europe wants war, Russia is ready,” Putin told journalists before his meeting with Vitkov and Kushner.

“Europe has withdrawn from the Ukraine settlement. It has no peace agenda, and now it is hindering U.S.’ efforts to reach an agreement,” Putin added. “Europe is making proposals for a peace plan for Ukraine that are unacceptable to Russia.”

Importantly, he also promised to expand attacks on Ukrainian ports in retaliation for the approximately four tankers already hit by Ukrainian attacks, which were presumably supported by Western intelligence agencies. Further quotes from his statements to the news agencies:

“The Europeans have withdrawn from the talks.”

“Attacks on tankers near Turkey are piracy.”

“Measures are being taken against tankers from countries that are helping Ukraine.”

“Attacks on facilities and Ukrainian ships are intensifying.”

“If the attacks continue, Russia could attack Ukrainian tankers.”

President Zelensky, meanwhile, has acknowledged that the road ahead will be “difficult” – but he has not yet outright rejected the plan proposed by Trump, knowing that he could lose U.S. financial and political support at any time. “Now more than ever, there is a chance to end this war,” he said during a visit to Ireland on Tuesday (Dec. 2).

Ukraine declares that “difficult issues” remain to be resolved in order to reach a peace agreement, but the U.S.’ heavy hand could overcome them: The White House team is in Moscow for negotiations; the Europeans are not at the table. This comes at a time when Russia claims that Philippine troops are fighting in Ukraine; a test of its Satan II ballistic missile has failed; a Chinese company has acquired shares in a Russian drone manufacturer; and Russia claims to have finally captured the strategically important Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk and Vovchansk.

Europe wants to reorganize its border control forces and has told the White House that it will not accept any pardon for Putin’s war crimes in any agreement – but what if the U.S. agrees to such a deal? The WSJ writes: “Trump’s push to end the Ukraine war sows new fears about NATO’s future.” All of this suggests either much higher military spending for Europe, and faster than planned, or a split between those who believe it is necessary and those who think committees and shortcuts are sufficient defence.

 

yogaesoteric
December 3, 2025

 

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