Putin Warns Russia Will Counter NATO If Europe Initiates Conflict, NATO Mulls Pre‑emptive Strikes
Updated (2 articles)
Putin’s Conditional Threat to NATO On 2 December 2025 Vladimir Putin told reporters Russia is prepared to confront any NATO member that starts a war against Moscow, while insisting Moscow does not seek an unprovoked fight with Europe [1]. He framed the stance as a defensive response, not an offensive agenda. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Russia lacks any dialogue with European capitals, complicating mutual understanding [1].
NATO’s Shift Toward Proactive Options Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of NATO’s military committee, told the Financial Times on 1 December 2025 the alliance is weighing “pre‑emptive” actions, moving from a purely reactive posture [2]. He linked the discussion to the recently launched Baltic Sentry mission, which deployed additional frigates and patrol aircraft to the Baltic Sea in January 2025 after suspected Russian sabotage [2]. Dragone noted that, since Baltic Sentry began, no incidents have occurred [2].
Russian Foreign Ministry’s Rebuttal Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, condemned Dragone’s pre‑emptive‑strike comments as “extremely irresponsible,” warning they signal a slide toward escalation [2]. Her statement, released through state media on 1 December 2025, underscored Moscow’s view that NATO’s rhetoric heightens the risk of direct confrontation [2].
Hybrid Warfare and Contingency Planning NATO officials continue to attribute daily cyberattacks and information‑operations to Russia, describing them as part of a broader hybrid‑warfare campaign [1][2]. A leaked German operational plan (OPLAN DEU), spanning 1,200 pages, outlines potential deployment of up to 800,000 NATO troops in a Russian‑initiated conflict, illustrating the depth of European contingency planning [1].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Putin Signals Russia Ready to Respond to European Attack: Details Putin’s conditional readiness to fight NATO members if Europe initiates hostilities, includes Peskov’s comment on absent dialogue, and cites NATO’s hybrid‑warfare accusations and German OPLAN DEU .
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2.
Newsweek: Russia Responds to NATO’s Consideration of Pre‑emptive Strikes: Covers Admiral Dragone’s pre‑emptive‑strike remarks, Zakharova’s rebuke, daily cyberattack claims, Baltic Sentry deployment and its lack of incidents, and the Finnish court’s dismissal of a tanker sabotage case .
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Timeline
Jan 2025 – NATO announces the “Baltic Sentry” operation, deploying additional frigates and maritime patrol aircraft to the Baltic Sea to counter suspected Russian sabotage by its “shadow fleet” of sanctions‑skipping oil tankers [2].
Oct 2025 – A Finnish court dismisses charges against the crew of the Eagle S tanker, citing jurisdictional issues and underscoring the legal hurdles NATO faces when confronting Russian‑linked maritime actions [2].
Dec 1, 2025 – Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of NATO’s military committee, tells the Financial Times that the alliance is weighing “pre‑emptive” strikes, marking a shift from a reactive to a proactive posture [2].
Dec 1, 2025 – Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, calls Dragone’s pre‑emptive‑strike remarks “extremely irresponsible” and warns they signal a move toward further escalation [2].
Dec 2, 2025 – President Vladimir Putin tells reporters Russia is ready to confront NATO members if Europe initiates conflict, while stressing Moscow does not intend to start an unprovoked war [1].
Dec 2, 2025 – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov states Russia has no dialogue with Europe, arguing the lack of communication hampers understanding of Western positions [1].
Dec 2, 2025 – Admiral Dragone suggests NATO could become “more aggressive or proactive rather than merely reactive,” reflecting internal debate over alliance posture [1].
2025 (ongoing) – NATO attributes daily cyberattacks and other hybrid‑warfare tactics to Russia, highlighting a persistent non‑kinetic threat alongside conventional military activity [1][2].
2025 (context) – Germany’s 1,200‑page OPLAN DEU outlines contingency plans for moving up to 800,000 NATO troops in response to a Russian attack, illustrating Europe’s extensive operational planning [1].