Russian President Vladimir Putin made notable remarks on Europe's security policies and NATO's military structure at a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission held on September 18, 2026. Putin said NATO was increasing its military capacity and expanding its area of operations into different regions of the world.
“European leaders say they are preparing for war with Russia”
Putin said the leaders of some European countries had openly spoken about preparations for a possible conflict with Russia. Criticizing rhetoric about rising defense spending and military preparations in Europe, the Russian president said Moscow had no aggressive intentions toward European countries.
Putin addresses “declining support”
The Russian president argued that European leaders were using the threat from Russia in domestic politics. Putin claimed that some leaders were maintaining this rhetoric to conceal problems in their economic and social policies and to recover declining public support. He also claimed that election results in Europe showed that citizens did not want war with Russia.
Emphasis on NATO
Putin also addressed NATO's expansion in particular. Saying that the alliance was increasing its military capacity and spreading into different regions, Putin stated that Russia would continue strengthening its own security and defense capabilities in response. The Russian government's official meeting transcript also listed Russia's new state armament program and the development of the defense industry among the meeting's main agenda items.
Moscow says it is ready to restore ties with Europe
Despite his strong remarks, Putin said Russia had no aggressive intentions toward European countries and that Moscow was ready to restore relations with Europe. The remarks came as security debates along the Russia-NATO axis and defense preparations in Europe intensified.
