Putin's statements about the unwillingness to fight NATO are similar to words on the eve of the attack on Ukraine - ISW
The statement of Kremlin Putin's head that Russia does not seek to invade NATO countries, very similar to the Kremlin's persistent statements at the end of 2021 and early 2022, as well as those that were heard on the eve of February 24 - that Russia is not Plans to attack Ukraine. The Institute of War Study (ISW) announced details in the report for December 17. He interviewed the Russian state channel "Russia 1" on December 17, where he threatened Finland.
The politician assured that the Russian Federation did not intend to fight with the Alliance. Putin was denied by US President Joe Baiden, who predicted Russia's attack on NATO country in the future in the event of a victory over Ukraine. The Kremlin head argued that Russia has no geopolitical, military and economic or territorial reasons to fight with the Alliance, and that Russia is interested in developing relations with NATO member states.
Putin, according to analysts, threatened Poland on July 21, after Warsaw sent troops to the border with Belarus, as she responded to the relocation of the "Wagner". Then the Russian dictator stated that the Russian Federation would respond "by all means" that are at its disposal. On December 2, one of Russian propagandists said on December 2 that the Baltic countries would become the next military goal of Russia. He threatened that they would fall shortly after Ukraine.
ISW reminded that these threats are actually part of ancient Russian narratives regarding the possible attack of Russian troops on the military block. Such statements appeared before Finland filed an appropriate application for joining the Alliance and was adopted on April 4. The Kremlin leader regularly repeats his aversion to the western blocks, calling for a multipolar order in the world. Russia seeks to veto key world events.
Analysts are convinced that Putin intends to force NATO to recognize the claims, demands and sphere of influence of Russia. He repeatedly pointed to the intention of the Russian Federation to put an end to the "US hegemony". We will remind, on December 12 at the Latvian Defense Ministry stated that Russia was leading a hybrid war against the country.