Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday dismissed Western calls to prepare for a “major war” with Russia. He described such claims as “hysteria” and “a lie.” He accused Western leaders of deliberately spreading fear among people in Europe.

Putin responded to remarks made by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Berlin last week. Rutte had said NATO must be ready for a conflict on the scale faced by earlier generations.

Russia accuses West of fearmongering

Putin said Western leaders are indoctrinating Europeans with false fears about Russia. He claimed they are intentionally whipping up hysteria to justify military spending and policy choices.

“I have repeatedly stated: this is a lie, nonsense, pure nonsense about some imaginary Russian threat to European countries. But this is being done quite deliberately,” Putin said.

NATO calls for urgent military preparedness

In his Berlin speech, Rutte warned that many NATO members are not taking the Russian threat seriously enough. He urged allies to raise defence spending and boost weapons production.

“We are Russia's next target. I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don't feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now,” Rutte said.

“Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe. And we must be prepared,” he added.

Putin warns on Ukraine peace talks

Putin also issued a sharp warning on the Ukraine conflict. He said Russia will seize the territories it claims by force if peace talks collapse.

Speaking at a meeting with defence ministry officials in Moscow, Putin said, “The goals of the special military operation will certainly be achieved.”

He said Russia prefers diplomacy. “We would prefer to do this and eliminate the root causes of the conflict through diplomacy,” he said. He warned of annexation “by military means” if “the opposing country and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions.”

Pressure grows on Ukraine

Putin’s comments came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is working with the US on a proposal to end the four-year-old war. Ukraine faces pressure to accept territorial concessions. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a quick end to the conflict.

Russia claims control of more than 19% of Ukraine. Moscow has ruled out any withdrawal. It also wants Ukraine to give up the remaining Kyiv-controlled parts of the Donbas region.