Moscow is prepared to formally confirm it has no intention of attacking Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, dismissing Western warnings of a Russian threat as politically motivated fabrications.

Speaking to reporters after a visit to Kyrgyzstan, he described such claims of Russia posing a threat to Europe as “ridiculous", insisting that the country has never considered any military action against European states and accusing certain Western officials of deliberately stoking fear among their own populations for political or economic advantage.

Putin said Moscow remains open to discussions on pan-European security if Western governments are genuinely interested. “If our Western partners want this now, then go ahead, we are ready,” he said, emphasizing that any renewed dialogue would require serious and precise diplomatic engagement.

The Russian president stated that decisions on Ukraine must receive recognition from key international players. He said negotiations with the US should cover issues such as Crimea and Donbass, emphasizing that recognition from Ukraine is not required and expressing hope for a future agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

However, he said that direct interaction with the G7 is implausible under current geopolitical conditions, citing the declining influence of the group, indicating that future contacts could resume if US proposals on Ukraine are fully implemented, while emphasizing that it is too early to discuss this.

Russian, Ukrainian intelligence agencies in contact

Putin confirmed that Russian and Ukrainian intelligence agencies continue to communicate on humanitarian matters, particularly regarding prisoner exchanges, highlighting Abu Dhabi as a key platform for such talks, and expressed gratitude to the UAE for facilitating dialogue. Putin noted that representatives from Washington also participated in recent meetings, which were planned at Ukraine’s initiative.

He further emphasized that Russia ultimately seeks an agreement with Ukraine, but stressed that signing documents with Kiev is currently legally impossible.

US taking Moscow's demands into account

He added that Russia has noticed instances in which the United States appears to be taking Moscow’s position into account, citing exchanges around the Anchorage summit. Despite this, he criticized Washington for subsequently imposing sanctions on Russian oil companies, while noting ongoing divisions within Western capitals over how to approach the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin indicated that Russia generally agrees that the US plan for Ukraine could form a basis for future agreements; however, he noted that there is no draft yet, and the plan requires translation into diplomatic language and detailed discussion, as “every single word matters.”

He emphasized that every point of the plan for Ukraine submitted to Moscow is key and requires serious consideration, stating, “Each of the issues outlined in the lists of issues that have been submitted to us... Each of them is a key topic.” He underlined the need for careful review to ensure that all aspects of a potential settlement are properly addressed.

Washington invited Moscow for nuclear talks

The Russian president said the White House invited Moscow to discuss nuclear test-related matters. Putin told reporters that Russia is analyzing US actions and proposals and highlighted the need for preparedness in strategic stability, adding that Russia is ready to cooperate on this topic while stressing that it cannot lag behind the United States in nuclear testing readiness.

Putin stressed that Russia must be prepared for any developments in nuclear testing, saying the country cannot lag behind the United States in readiness and adding that Moscow is reviewing US nuclear activities and preparing proposals on how to respond.

Assets seizure amounts to theft

Additionally, he warned that the seizure of Russian immobilized assets by the European Union would amount to theft, explaining that such actions could have negative financial consequences for the global economy and reduce confidence in the eurozone.

He also noted that the Russian government is preparing countermeasures should the EU proceed with seizure, while criticizing the corruption in Ukraine and implying a parallel between European actions and the thefts by Ukraine’s elite.

Putin also claimed that Ukraine’s top corrupt officials have jailed the head of the Supreme Court for corruption, characterizing it as evidence of deep systemic corruption within Ukraine’s leadership.

Furthermore, Putin went on to call for a Ukrainian presidential election and a referendum on territorial issues as soon as martial law is lifted, criticizing Ukraine’s current leadership for failing to hold elections earlier, arguing that winning under current conditions would be difficult without fraud.

Putin reiterated that only Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, can extend powers under martial law, not the president.

Putin addresses Ushakov-Witkoff controversy

The Russian president also commented on recent leaked transcripts published by Bloomberg, which claimed to show a conversation involving Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, US envoy Steve Witkoff, and Russian Direct Investment Fund chief Kirill Dmitriev about a potential Ukrainian settlement plan.

Dmitriev dismissed the report as fake, while Bloomberg asserted it had reviewed an audio recording of the exchange. Meanwhile, Putin did not confirm whether the leaks were genuine but stressed that any unauthorized interception of official conversations is a criminal offense in Russia.

Putin also defended US special envoy Steve Witkoff against criticism, noting that he is negotiating on behalf of his president and country. Referring to Bloomberg leaks of alleged conversations, Putin called accusations that Witkoff had insulted Moscow before talks “nonsense,” adding that dialogue with the US is conducted professionally, with each side defending its positions.

On a separate diplomatic topic, Putin addressed speculation that Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has lost favor, describing it as complete nonsense and emphasizing that the FM is preparing for meetings with US counterparts and continues to work according to his schedule.

Additionally, Putin commented that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s position on Ukraine is “quite objective” and reflects the realities on the ground, adding that Orban is welcome to Moscow if a meeting is arranged.

Russian forces advancing on all fronts

Addressing the situation on the battlefield, Putin claimed Russian forces are advancing along all sections of the front, saying the pace of their movement is increasing.

He alleged that Ukraine suffered more than 47,000 casualties in October and described Ukrainian mobilization as forced, asserting that desertion rates are high and that Kiev is unable to replenish its units at a pace that matches its losses. 

Furthermore, he warned that if Ukrainian troops do not withdraw from specific areas, Russia will enforce their removal by military means, noting Russian advances are continuing successfully in all directions. He cited the Kupyansk situation as an example of inevitable front-line collapse if similar patterns occur elsewhere.

Putin additionally said that Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov (Myrnohrad) are completely surrounded by Russian forces, adding that Russian troops control 70% of Krasnoarmeysk, while fighting continues in Volchansk and Komsomolsk.

Russian forces have approached Seversk from multiple directions, with 1,700 of 8,000 buildings under their control, the Russian President noted, emphasizing that about 3,500 Ukrainian personnel are blocked on the left bank of the Oskol River, and Russian forces are advancing toward the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Expanding energy cooperation with Kyrgyzstan

Putin also highlighted expanding energy cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, including plans to build small-capacity nuclear power plants in the country, adding that Russia remains the only nation currently implementing such technology and is ready to proceed if Bishkek approves the project.

"We have plans, possibly, to build small nuclear power plants. Let me remind you again, Russia is the only country in the world implementing such projects. Many say they would be willing to do this, but so far we are the only ones doing it. And if Kyrgyzstan makes such a decision, our colleagues here are in contact with each other, and we will implement these projects," Putin told reporters after his visit to Kyrgyzstan.

He noted that Kyrgyzstan purchases Russian energy resources at discounted prices, which he described as an important support for the country’s economy.