Russian President Vladimir Putin said that NATO's drive to increase defense spending does not pose a threat to Russia — days before the alliance approved a plan to expand its military capabilities in Europe.

At a press conference in St. Petersburg, Putin stressed that Russian forces would not halt their advance in Ukraine and attacked the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The alliance will hold a key summit in The Hague next week to discuss increasing military spending to 5% of GDP, a measure supported by US President Donald Trump.

Putin presents the war in Ukraine as part of a broader clash between Russia and NATO, Kiev's most active supporter since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

“We do not view any rearmament by NATO as a threat to the Russian Federation, as we are self-sufficient in terms of our security,” Putin said.

He added that Russia was “constantly modernizing its armed forces and defense capabilities” and called NATO's decision to spend more on weapons “meaningless.”

While acknowledging that such actions could create “certain” challenges for Moscow, he downplayed their significance:

“We will respond to any emerging threat. There is no doubt about that,” the Russian president assured.

Ukraine and a possible meeting with Zelensky?

Kiev is insisting on security guarantees from NATO as part of a possible peace agreement — more than three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

However, Moscow shows no signs of backing down. Putin claims that Russia has a “strategic advantage” on the battlefield:

“Our troops are advancing along the entire line of contact. Every day — more or less — but they are advancing. And this will continue,” he said.

The Russian president also tried to justify three years of war, questioned Zelensky's legitimacy, and downplayed civilian casualties, despite Russia's daily airstrikes on Ukrainian cities.

Putin said he was ready to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, but only in the “final stage” of negotiations to end the conflict. He also questioned Zelensky's right to sign peace agreements, citing his expired five-year term — a claim that Kyiv dismisses as propaganda.

“We must find a solution that not only ends the current conflict but also prevents similar situations in the future,” Putin said.

“I am ready to meet with anyone, including Zelensky. That is not a problem. If the Ukrainian state trusts him to lead the negotiations, let it be him,” he added.

“It doesn't matter who leads the negotiations, even if it's the current head of the regime,” Putin added, but stressed that such a meeting would only take place in the final phase of the process: “We shouldn't sit and haggle endlessly, but put an end to this.”

So far, the Kremlin has categorically rejected ideas for a ceasefire and insists on further territorial concessions from Kiev and a refusal of Western military aid.

Ukraine has described these demands as “ultimatums” and accused Russia of deliberately sabotaging peace efforts in order to prolong the war.

Meanwhile, Moscow has intensified its air strikes while negotiations remain at a standstill.

On Wednesday alone, according to Kiev, Russian strikes in the capital killed at least 28 people.

Despite the obvious large-scale civilian casualties and destruction of residential buildings, hospitals, and schools, Putin insists that the Russian army is not targeting civilians.

Hours before his statement, rescuers carried body bags out of a destroyed apartment building in Kyiv amid rubble and ash. | BGNES, AFP