Russian President Putin Denies Intention of Starting War with NATO
In a passionate address to military pilots at an air base, Russian President Vladimir Putin vehemently denied any plans to initiate a conflict with NATO.
Dismissing the notion that Russia would attack a NATO member country as “sheer nonsense”, Putin made it clear that such claims were unfounded.
Regarding the deployment of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by Western allies, Putin downplayed the significance of these aircraft, stating that they would not significantly impact the current situation.
However, he issued a stark warning to Ukraine’s Western supporters, cautioning against providing air bases for the F-16s to operate from, as these bases would become legitimate targets for Russian forces.
Highlighting the technical requirements of F-16s, Putin noted that these aircraft necessitate high-quality runways and reinforced hangars for protection while on the ground.
While military analysts believe the arrival of F-16s may not drastically alter the balance of power, Ukrainian officials view them as an opportunity to challenge Russia’s air superiority.
Putin remained resolute in his stance, asserting that the F-16s “won’t change the situation on the battlefield” and vowed to eliminate them as he would any other military threat.
As Russia continues its relentless assault on southern and eastern regions of Ukraine with drones and missiles, Ukrainian forces brace themselves for prolonged attrition attacks aimed at weakening their defenses. — Euronews
