Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to Europe, stating that if the continent desires a conflict, Russia stands prepared to engage immediately. The comments were made on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, following an investment forum in Moscow.
Putin's Defiant Stance on European Conflict
Speaking to journalists, Putin asserted that Russia is not planning to initiate a war with Europe, a point he claimed to have reiterated numerous times. However, he delivered a clear ultimatum: "But if Europe suddenly wants to fight us and starts, we're ready right now. There can be no doubt about that."
He further cautioned that European nations, whom he accused of lacking a peaceful agenda and siding with war, could quickly find themselves in a situation where "we have no one to negotiate with." Putin also alleged that European powers are obstructing efforts by the US administration and President Donald Trump to broker a peace agreement through dialogue.
Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Moves Amidst Tensions
The Russian leader's combative rhetoric comes as US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are holding talks with Putin in Moscow regarding a proposed American plan for peace in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking during an official visit to Dublin, Ireland, stated he expected to hear from the US team once their Moscow meetings concluded.
Zelenskyy, who became the first Ukrainian president to make an official state visit to Ireland, expressed cautious optimism. He described the present as "one of the most challenging but optimistic moments" since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and noted the US "is taking serious steps to end this war one way or another."
He revealed that Kyiv has formed a 20-point format with the US and emphasised the need for a "decent, dignified peace," while warning there would be "no easy decisions" and insisting there must be "no games behind Ukraine's back."
Military Claims and International Support
On the ground, Putin claimed that the city of Pokrovsk is now fully under the control of the Russian army, following the release of footage by Moscow's defence ministry. He also labelled recent attacks on Russian tankers as "piracy" and vowed that Russia would expand strikes on Ukrainian ports and ships in retaliation.
During President Zelenskyy's historic visit to Ireland, the Irish government announced €100 million in non-lethal aid for Ukraine, bringing its total such aid for the year to €200 million. The funding is part of a new '2030 Roadmap on Ukraine-Ireland Partnership' signed by Zelenskyy and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.
Zelenskyy praised Ireland's "honest and principled" stance on sanctions against Russia and reiterated his call for frozen Russian assets to be used for Ukraine's defence. He also expressed hope for Ukraine's accession to the EU within five years.
