Putin calls concerns about attack on Nato “bullshit” – Night at a glance
Published: Thursday, Jun 6th 2024, 05:10
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At a meeting with representatives of major international news agencies, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin dismissed fears by Western states of a Russian invasion of Nato territory as "bullshit". "You made it up that Russia wants to attack Nato. Have you gone completely mad? Are you as stupid as this table? Who came up with that? This is nonsense, you understand. Bullshit," Putin said on Wednesday in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, the president of Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, is expected in France this Thursday for a major international commemoration of the Allied landings in Normandy during the Second World War.
Russia has been waging a large-scale war of aggression against Ukraine since February 2022. As a result, fear of Russian aggression has also grown in other countries - particularly in the Baltic states. Putin's statements in St. Petersburg are unlikely to provide any reassurance there, as Moscow had repeatedly denied any plans of aggression even before its invasion of Ukraine.
Putin is hosting the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. At the annual meeting of entrepreneurs from all over the world, Russia wants to present itself as an economically strong raw materials power despite the sanctions imposed by the West in the wake of its war of aggression against Ukraine. The media meeting in the striking Lachta Center skyscraper of the gas giant Gazprom, at which the German Press Agency was also represented, was the first such meeting with international journalists since the beginning of the war against Ukraine.
Putin threatens "asymmetric response" to attacks
At the meeting with media representatives, Putin also threatened an "asymmetric response" in the event that Russian territory is attacked from Ukraine with weapons supplied to Ukrainian troops from the West. Russia is considering stationing its weapons in other regions of the world, from where they could be used for attacks against the countries from which the weapons directed against its country originate. "This means that the response can be asymmetrical. We are thinking about it," said Putin. He also warned of a possible delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Selenskyj for talks in Qatar
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Qatar for talks before his visit to France. He wanted to discuss the Gulf emirate's mediation in the return of Ukrainian children from Russia with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Zelensky announced via social networks. Bilateral economic issues and the peace summit planned for the end of next week (June 15 and 16) in Switzerland, which Qatar will attend, were also on the agenda.
What will be important on Thursday
Following his visit to Qatar, Selenskyj plans to arrive in France on Thursday to take part in the major international commemoration of the Allied landings in Normandy 80 years ago. Numerous other heads of state and government from around the world are also expected to attend - above all US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and, of course, French President Emmanuel Macron as host.
Scholz (SPD) will also make a government statement on the current security situation in the Bundestag on Thursday. Among other things, he will discuss permission for Ukraine to attack Russian territory with German weapons.
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