Putin vows ‘significant’ response to ‘Europe’s militarization’

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a meeting with foreign policy experts at the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. (AP)
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  • “Russia will never show weakness or indecisiveness,” Putin said

SOCHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday promised a “significant” response to “Europe’s militarization,” as he addressed a foreign policy forum in southern Russia.
“We are closely monitoring the rising militarization of Europe,” he told the audience, adding: “Retaliatory measures by Russia will not take long. The response to such threats will be very significant.”
“Russia will never show weakness or indecisiveness,” Putin added.
Relations between Russia and the EU spiralled downward after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, leading the bloc to bolster its defense.
Drone incidents in Denmark and aerial incursions from Moscow in Estonia and Poland have heightened fears that Russia’s war on Ukraine could spill over Europe’s borders.
Putin accused Europe of stoking up “hysteria” to excuse rising military spending and said Russia wasn’t a threat. “Just calm down,” the Russian President said.