President Putin accuses European leaders of 'whipping up hysteria'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hit out at European leaders, accusing them of whipping up hysteria calling them "dishonest".

Speaking on Thursday at the Plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, a Think tank in the Russian city of Sochi Putin addressed the audience in Russian.

"The ruling elites of united Europe continue to whip up hysteria. It turns out that war with the Russians is practically on the doorstep. They repeat this nonsense, this mantra, over and over again. ... They can't believe what they're saying, that Russia is going to attack NATO? ...

They're either incredibly incompetent if they truly believe it, because it's impossible to believe this nonsense, or they're simply dishonest." he said. 

President Putin's words come just a day after NATO bolstered its Baltic sentry near Denmark, while also authorizing Estonian Navy to attack civillian vessels that threaten its safety.

The move was made by Nato following multiple recent incursions by drones and aircraft into allied members airspace.

Putin also spoke on the current militarisation of Europe saying Moscow was closely monitoring the situation

"We simply cannot ignore what is happening. We have no right to do so for reasons of our own security. I repeat, our defence and safety. Therefore, we are closely monitoring the escalating militarization of Europe."

"Are these just empty words, or is it time for us to take countermeasures? ... Germany, for example, says that the German army should be the most powerful in Europe. Good. We listen carefully, understanding what is meant."

Germany had earlier in the week outlined plans to ramp up its military strength, committing billions to modernize equipment and increase personnel to 260,000 over the next decade.

The government said it was addressing personnel shortages and fixing years of neglect to ensure a stronger defence amid growing security concerns.

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany allocated a 100-billion-euro special fund to modernize its military specifically F-35 fighter jets, Leopard 2 tanks, and Chinook helicopters. 

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that “because of its size and its economic strength, Germany is the country that must have the strongest conventional army in NATO on the European side.”

"I think no one doubts that such measures will force Russia to act, and Russia's countermeasures will not be long in coming. It seems (to me) that the response to these threats will be, to put it mildly, very convincing." Putin said

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