‘Let’s Better Live in Friendship,’ Putin Tells West, Says Russia Cannot Be Intimidated
21:15 18.09.2026 (Updated: 21:18 18.09.2026)
© Sputnik . POOL
/ Subscribe
Key points from the Russian president’s statements at a meeting of the Military-Industrial Commission:
▪️External threats facing Russia are not decreasing, Putin said, noting that NATO is expanding and increasing its presence in different regions of the world
▪️He pointed to NATO exercises in the Baltic Sea aimed at practicing the seizure of civilian vessels, saying Russia is ready to respond to any attempts to seize its vessels
▪️Putin stressed that Russia’s military and security structures must remain prepared to respond quickly and effectively to potential external threats
▪️Strengthening Russia’s nuclear triad remains an unconditional priority, while the president called for further development of defense capabilities through a new long-term State Armament Program based on global developments and lessons learned from the special military operation
▪️Putin noted that the level of modernity of armaments in Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces has reached 92% and instructed that the satellite constellation needed for troop command and control be fully completed
▪️He also called for Russia’s air defense systems to ensure the destruction of any means of aerospace attack
▪️According to Putin, European leaders are using claims about alleged threats from Russia and preparations for war to cover failures in economic policies, governance mistakes, and declining public support
▪️He said European leaders are ignoring citizens’ opposition to conflict and are continuing to escalate tensions instead of seeking cooperation with Russia
▪️Putin stated that Russia has no aggressive intentions toward Europe and is ready for cooperation and the restoration of relations with European countries
▪️He accused the West of using Ukrainians as “cannon fodder” and claimed that Kiev authorities are prolonging the conflict to remain in power
▪️Putin stated that authorities in Kiev have become corrupt, usurped power, prevented elections, and blocked peace negotiations
▪️He criticized Western attempts to present the Kiev authorities as defenders of democracy, saying the Ukrainian government has turned into a dictatorship
▪️External threats facing Russia are not decreasing, Putin said, noting that NATO is expanding and increasing its presence in different regions of the world
▪️He pointed to NATO exercises in the Baltic Sea aimed at practicing the seizure of civilian vessels, saying Russia is ready to respond to any attempts to seize its vessels
▪️Putin stressed that Russia’s military and security structures must remain prepared to respond quickly and effectively to potential external threats
▪️Strengthening Russia’s nuclear triad remains an unconditional priority, while the president called for further development of defense capabilities through a new long-term State Armament Program based on global developments and lessons learned from the special military operation
▪️Putin noted that the level of modernity of armaments in Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces has reached 92% and instructed that the satellite constellation needed for troop command and control be fully completed
▪️He also called for Russia’s air defense systems to ensure the destruction of any means of aerospace attack
▪️According to Putin, European leaders are using claims about alleged threats from Russia and preparations for war to cover failures in economic policies, governance mistakes, and declining public support
▪️He said European leaders are ignoring citizens’ opposition to conflict and are continuing to escalate tensions instead of seeking cooperation with Russia
▪️Putin stated that Russia has no aggressive intentions toward Europe and is ready for cooperation and the restoration of relations with European countries
▪️He accused the West of using Ukrainians as “cannon fodder” and claimed that Kiev authorities are prolonging the conflict to remain in power
▪️Putin stated that authorities in Kiev have become corrupt, usurped power, prevented elections, and blocked peace negotiations
▪️He criticized Western attempts to present the Kiev authorities as defenders of democracy, saying the Ukrainian government has turned into a dictatorship
