Vladimir Putin announced at a Russia-Africa press conference that Russia is "ready for war with Europe, but we don't want it," urging the West to prepare for a possible attack.
He added, "As for them - if anyone desires such a thing, let them prepare," and claimed the West had "failed to achieve their goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia."
Putin boasted that it is "highly unlikely that this will be possible by 2030" and warned, "If things go too far, there will be no winners at all."
The leader also said Moscow does not want a scenario like the Strait of Hormuz conflict to repeat in the Baltic Sea, referencing fuel shortages and price spikes linked to the Iran war and the blocked waterway.
His remarks come as concerns grow over increased Russian "hybrid attacks" on NATO members. Earlier this month, Germany raised its war-risk assessment with Russia to the second-highest level for the first time.
