New delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin today declared that the deployment of European forces in Ukraine would be considered an act of war against Russia, while also asserting that his country presents no threat to European nations.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during his participation in the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Putin expressed his concerns to reporters, stating, “They (European leaders) are currently saying they are exploring ways to send troops to Ukrainian territory… This means war against Russia.” He further clarified, “We do not threaten European countries, nor do we intend to threaten them… Why would we do that in the first place? No one even understands that we have no reason to enter into a conflict with Europe.”

Putin emphasized that the notion of a Russian threat is a fabrication, accusing European leaders of “frightening their people with an imaginary threat from Russia.” He reiterated that this perceived threat “does not exist and never has.”

Moscow has consistently opposed the presence of Western forces on Ukrainian territory since the beginning of its crisis with Kyiv, categorizing such a move as a “red line that must not be crossed.”