President Vladimir Putin stated on Wednesday that Russia has no intention of attacking any NATO country, including Poland, the Baltic states, or the Czech Republic.
However, he warned that if the West supplies F-16 fighters to Ukraine, Russian forces will shoot them down. Putin made these remarks during a speech to Russian air force pilots, Reuters report.
He emphasized that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to a profound crisis in its relations with the West.
Putin clarified that while NATO has expanded eastwards since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia does not harbor aggressive intentions towards NATO member states.
He dismissed the notion of Russia launching attacks on other countries as “complete nonsense” and “just drivel.” These statements were released in a Kremlin transcript on Thursday.
“The idea that we will attack some other country – Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are also being scared – is complete nonsense. It’s just drivel.”
The Kremlin, which accuses the U.S. of fighting against Russia by supporting Ukraine with money, weapons and intelligence, says relations with Washington have probably never been worse.
Asked about F-16 fighters which the West has promised to send to Ukraine, Putin said such aircraft would not change the situation in Ukraine.
“If they supply F-16s, and they are talking about this and are apparently training pilots, this will not change the situation on the battlefield,” Putin said.
“And we will destroy the aircraft just as we destroy today tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers.”
Putin said that F-16 could also carry nuclear weapons.
“Of course, if they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located,” Putin said.
Putin’s remarks followed comments earlier in the day by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that the aircraft should arrive in Ukraine in the coming months.
Ukraine, now more than two years into a full-fledged war against Russia, has sought F-16s for many months.
Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands are among countries which have pledged to donate F-16s. A coalition of countries has promised to help train Ukrainian pilots in their use.
