Vladimir Putin claims NATO is preparing for war against Russia

During a meeting with military academy graduates in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Western nations are preparing for a potential conflict with Russia. He characterized Western concerns regarding a Russian military threat as false claims used to justify increased defense spending. Putin noted that Russia is prepared to respond to any threats, highlighting that approximately 40% of the Russian federal budget is currently allocated to defense, security, and military operations in Ukraine. Since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, NATO and EU members have provided extensive military and financial support to Kyiv. These Western countries have simultaneously increased their own defense expenditures due to rising concerns over long-term security. While Moscow views Western military investments as preparations for direct aggression, Western nations maintain that their actions are a necessary defensive reaction to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Russian president emphasized that his country remains ready to address any operational threats.