**Putin: Threats Are Not Decreasing as NATO Keeps Expanding**
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 Some European leaders openly say they are **preparing for war with Russia**, Putin said.
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 Russia has **no aggressive intentions toward Europe** and remains ready for cooperation and the restoration of relations.
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 ‘Let’s live peacefully — otherwise we will have to respond. There will be no other way.’
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 Putin accused European leaders of escalating tensions instead of listening to their citizens, while using Ukrainians as **‘cannon fodder’** and blaming Russia for failures in their own economic policies.
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 He said power in Ukraine has been usurped by a **‘group of embezzlers’**, while Kiev talks about restarting negotiations but is doing everything to prevent them.
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 Strengthening Russia’s **nuclear triad** remains an absolute priority, while the modernization level of the Strategic Missile Forces has reached **92%**.
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 Russia is also paying close attention to European exercises in the Baltic involving the seizure of civilian vessels, while future weapons programs will place special emphasis on **air defense and drones**.
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