Vladimir Putin addressing the media amid rising tensions with Europe.
Credit : Octavio Hoyos, Shutterstock
As diplomatic talks continue in the background of the war in Ukraine, tensions between Moscow and European capitals were reignited after Russian president Vladimir Putin declared that Russia is “ready” for armed conflict with Europe if it is pushed into one.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, December 2, shortly before meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, Putin insisted that his country does not want a wider war – but would not hesitate to respond if European nations chose confrontation.
“We have no intention of going to war with Europe,” Putin said, before adding: “But if Europe wants it and starts it, we are ready right now.”
The Russian leader also accused European governments of working to undermine US-led efforts towards a peace settlement in Ukraine, stating that many European actors were “on the side of war” rather than diplomacy and lacked any real peace plan of their own.
NATO considers stronger action over Russian ‘hybrid warfare’
Putin’s comments come as NATO debates stepping up its response to what it describes as Russia’s “hybrid warfare” tactics – actions that sit below the threshold of traditional military conflict.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chairman of NATO’s military committee, confirmed that the alliance is considering whether it should move from playing defence to taking a more proactive stance, particularly in cyberspace.
“On cyber, we are mostly reactive,” he said. “Being more proactive instead of reactive is something we are thinking about.”
Across Europe, authorities have linked multiple disruptive incidents to Russian involvement or interests, including undersea cable cuts in the Baltic Sea, drone intrusions and cyber attacks targeting infrastructure and government systems. While some cases remain officially unconfirmed, the cumulative effect has heightened security concerns among NATO members – particularly frontline countries in eastern Europe.
Some diplomats within the alliance are now urging NATO to strike first in response to certain cyber attacks, arguing that constant passive responses encourage continued aggression.
Admiral Dragone acknowledged that the possibility of a “pre-emptive strike” could be interpreted as a defensive move, though he also admitted it strays far from NATO’s traditional approach. Legal authority, national jurisdiction and internal coordination remain major obstacles.
Baltic Sea patrols show deterrence can work
Despite growing anxiety around hybrid warfare, NATO points to its Baltic Sentry naval patrol mission as proof that deterrence can be effective. Warships, aircraft and naval drones have been deployed to safeguard critical infrastructure across the Baltic Sea following numerous cable-cutting incidents in 2023 and 2024, allegedly linked to vessels from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” – commercial ships believed to help bypass Western sanctions.
“Since Baltic Sentry began, nothing has happened,” Dragone confirmed. “This shows that deterrence is working.”
Yet concerns persist. Recently, a Finnish court dismissed a case against crew members of the ship Eagle S, accused of severing underwater power and data cables, because the vessel was operating in international waters at the time — leaving no legal grounds for prosecution.
Finnish foreign minister Elina Valtonen admitted that this has left an uncomfortable loophole in enforcement.
“Yes, and that’s a problem,” she told the Financial Times, adding that enhanced assertiveness is something Finland is reviewing — though she stressed the importance of remaining calm and focused rather than reacting emotionally.
A Delicate balancing act for Europe
NATO officials recognise that the alliance faces limitations not shared by Russia. Admiral Dragone acknowledged that Western organisations must operate within tighter ethical, legal and jurisdictional frameworks, making firm retaliation more complex.
“We have far more limits than our counterpart,” he said. “That makes our position harder.”
Ultimately, NATO leaders emphasise that deterrence is the primary goal — whether achieved through retaliation, defence measures or more proactive policies. However, the route forward remains under active discussion as pressure continues to mount along Europe’s eastern front.
Putin’s blunt warning this tuesday adds another sharp edge to an already tense standoff – underscoring how fragile international stability remains while diplomatic channels struggle to gain traction.
For now, Europe watches cautiously as words harden, military planning evolves, and the delicate balance between peace talks and confrontation continues to hang in the air.
