Putin to the West: If they want to fight Russia, it would be a completely different war

"WE ARE IN A STATE OF ACTIVE DEFENSE"

Emphasizing that what is currently happening along the contact line is called "active defense," Putin stated that Russian military units are improving their positions across this entire area. Pointing out that this area is quite vast, Putin noted that this also applies to Kupyansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Avdiivka.

"THE US IS FORMING MILITARY ALLIANCES"

Making statements regarding the claim that Russia and China are forming a new military bloc, Putin stated that the West is constantly creating "Axis" (powers). Putin said, "We have said this many times. We are not uniting in such a military and political alliance. The Americans are doing this. Moreover, they are forcing their allies to worsen their relations with Russia and China."

Emphasizing that China is not engaging in a struggle with the West and that the US has chosen this path and is dragging Europe into it, Putin noted that Europe does not want to fight with China either, and that the trade volume between them is constantly increasing.

Putin pointed out that it is not them, but Western countries that are constantly forming military and political blocs like AUKUS.

"THESE ARE NOT HEALTHY THOUGHTS"

Commenting on the proposal in the US Congress for Washington and its allies to prepare for a simultaneous war with both Russia and China, including considering the option of nuclear conflict, Putin noted the following:

"I do not think these are healthy thoughts that come to the minds of healthy people. I mean, to say that the US is preparing for war with Russia... We are all preparing for war, because we follow the famous ancient principle: 'If you want peace, prepare for war.' But we proceed from the fact that we want peace. But if they want to fight with Russia, it would be a completely different war; it would not be a special military operation. Look at the Middle East, is there a special military operation there? Can it really be compared? If we are talking about a war between major nuclear powers, that is a completely different story. I do not think that this idea should or could come to the minds of sensible people. But if it does, it only makes us cautious."

Describing the talk of the possibility of war with both Russia and China as "nonsense," Putin added that he does not think any of this is serious and that it is being brought to the agenda to scare someone.