Putin Dismisses NATO Threat, Vows Continued Military Progress in Ukraine

On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin stated that NATO’s plans to increase defense spending do not represent a «threat» to Russia, just days ahead of the alliance’s anticipated endorsement of a strategy to bolster its military presence in Europe.

During a late-night press briefing in St. Petersburg, Putin affirmed that Russian troops would keep making progress in Ukraine and expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Next week, NATO leaders are set to convene in The Hague for an important summit focused on potentially elevating defense expenditures to 5% of GDP—a proposal driven by U.S. President Donald Trump’s insistence on greater contributions from member nations to the military alliance.

Putin, who portrays the conflict in Ukraine as part of a larger struggle against the West, minimized the risks posed by NATO’s actions.

«We don’t view any NATO rearmament as a threat to the Russian Federation, as we are self-reliant in maintaining our own security,» Putin stated to a group of foreign reporters. «We are continuously enhancing our military forces and defensive abilities.»

While he acknowledged that increased spending by NATO could present «specific» challenges, the Kremlin leader insisted that Russia «will address any threats that emerge. There is no question about it.»

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Putin informed reporters that Russia maintains a «strategic advantage» and claimed that his forces are achieving daily progress along the front line.

«Our troops are making strides along the entire front. Every day, to some extent, they advance. This progress is set to continue,» he remarked.

Putin reiterated his refusal to negotiate directly with Zelensky for the time being, alleging that the Ukrainian leader’s mandate has lapsed—a statement Kyiv has dismissed as propaganda.

Zelensky’s five-year term is technically set to expire in May 2024. However, Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections from taking place during martial law, which was enacted following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

«I am willing to meet with anyone, including Zelensky. That is not a problem,» Putin emphasized. «If the Ukrainian government entrusts someone specific with negotiation, for heaven’s sake, it could be Zelensky.»

«We are indifferent to who conducts the negotiations, even if it’s the current leader of the regime,» he added, though he noted that any meeting would only occur in a «final phase» of peace discussions.

«We need to identify a solution that will not only bring an end to the ongoing conflict but will also establish conditions that prevent similar situations from arising in the future,» Putin conveyed to reporters.

So far, the Kremlin has dismissed the idea of a complete ceasefire in Ukraine. Instead, it has maintained its demands, insisting that Ukraine surrender additional territory to Russia and significantly downsize its military.

Ukraine has rejected these conditions, viewing them as ultimatums designed to extend the conflict.

During the St. Petersburg press conference, Putin also asserted that Russian forces do not intentionally target civilians, despite extensive evidence of attacks on residential areas and frequent airstrikes resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

Local authorities reported that Russian missile strikes on Kyiv earlier this week resulted in at least 28 deaths.