Putin demonstrates his strongman tactics to Trump by issuing a new threat to Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a severe warning to NATO allies, suggesting they could face devastating consequences if they provoke Russia. The statement came moments before his scheduled meeting with officials dispatched by President Donald Trump.

We have no intention of waging war with Europe, as Ive reiterated countless times. But if Europe initiates hostilities, we are fully prepared to respond immediately, Putin told reporters on Tuesday, according to CNN. There is no ambiguity about this.

Putin, 73, emphasized that European nations would face rapid defeat should such a conflict occur, even as Russia has yet to fully control Ukraine despite years of military operations.

If Europe chooses to engage in war with us, the situation could quickly reach a point where there is no one left to negotiate with, he added.

These remarks were made just before Putin met to discuss Ukraine with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law. Putin criticized NATO nations for undermining peace efforts by influencing Trumps proposals, which Moscow has consistently found insufficient. Europe is siding with war, he claimed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly visited Washington since the conflict began, advocating for peace while rejecting any agreement that would require Ukraine to cede territory to Russia.

Putin also attributed the strained relationship between Moscow and Europe to the breakdown of diplomatic ties with capitals from London to Bucharest, ignoring that Russias isolation is a result of its invasion of a sovereign countrya conflict that has caused immense loss of life and drawn massive support for Ukraine from Western allies.

The Kremlin meeting included economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev and aide Yuri Ushakov, alongside Witkoff and Kushner, to discuss possible resolutions.

Trump, 79, had promised to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the first day of his presidency, but later softened his approach. He has made public gestures to accommodate Putin, including elaborate summit arrangements, but these have failed to change the reality on the ground.

Despite diplomatic displays, Russia continues to demand territorial concessions from Ukraine, which Zelensky refuses. The outcome of this weeks discussions remains unclear, although the U.S. delegation hopes for progress.

Trump briefly mentioned the meeting in Moscow during his Cabinet session, describing the situation as complicated. Our team is in Russia now to see if a resolution is possible. Its a very difficult situation, a real mess, he said. This is a war that would never have started if I were president.

Author: Sophia Brooks