The Kremlin has dismissed European assertions that President Vladimir Putin intends to rebuild the Soviet Union or launch an attack on NATO, calling such claims “complete stupidity.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that Putin wanted to bring back the “old Soviet Union” and warned Europe to prepare for what he described as clear Russian intentions to target NATO.
Responding to the remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “Vladimir Putin does not want to restore the USSR because it is impossible, and he himself has repeatedly said this. To talk about it is not respectful to our partners. Apparently, Mr. Merz does not know this.”
Peskov added: “As for preparing for an attack on NATO, this is complete stupidity.”
Putin, who was born in the Soviet Union, has previously described its 1991 collapse as the “greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century,” citing the impoverishment of millions of Russians and the threat of national disintegration.
Western leaders argue that if Russia prevails in Ukraine, Putin could eventually turn his attention to NATO members. Opponents also liken Russia’s current political climate to the repressive Brezhnev-era of the Soviet Union.
Putin has repeatedly denied any plans to attack NATO, saying such a move would be reckless given the alliance’s conventional military superiority.
