Putin derides European leaders as “piglets” amid renewed threats over Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again lashed out at European leaders, referring to them as “piglets” during a meeting with Russia’s defence ministry on 17 December, while insisting that the objectives of Moscow’s full-scale war against Ukraine would be achieved “unconditionally”.

Putin warned that if Russia’s demands were not met through diplomacy, Moscow would “liberate” what he described as its “historical lands” by military means.

Referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, Putin said that Trump had claimed the war would not have happened had he been in office at the time. “That may well be true,” Putin added, accusing the previous U.S. administration of deliberately pushing the situation towards armed conflict.

“They all believed that in a short period of time they would destroy Russia, break it apart, and the ‘European piglets’ immediately joined in this work of the previous American administration, hoping to benefit from the collapse of our country,” Putin said.

Among Moscow’s key demands is that Ukraine relinquish full control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and accept strict limitations on the size of its armed forces – conditions rejected by the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians.

In further dismissing prospects for peace, Putin claimed that Russia was acquiring weapons unmatched by any other country. He again accused European leaders of aligning themselves with former U.S. President Joe Biden – whom he blames for “starting” the war, in an effort to engineer Russia’s collapse.

According to Putin, European countries are attempting “to reclaim something that was lost in previous historical periods and to seek revenge”. At the same time, the Russian president no longer denies that the war against Ukraine is driven by Russia’s historical claims over Ukrainian territory.

Russia’s war against Ukraine began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and the deployment of Russian forces to Donbas, triggering the creation of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics”. The full-scale invasion followed eight years later, despite repeated warnings from U.S. and EU leaders urging Putin not to launch the war.

As signs grow that Moscow has no intention of ending the conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has intensified talks with European allies on so-called “Article 5-like” security guarantees, as NATO membership remains a distant prospect.

While details remain limited, a six-point statement by European leaders suggests the guarantees would be anchored in a legally binding commitment by partner countries to “restore peace and security” in the event of a future attack. This could involve military assistance, intelligence and logistical support, as well as economic and diplomatic measures.

Any such arrangement would require approval by the U.S. Congress. Speaking to journalists in Berlin, Zelenskyy said the Trump administration appeared “ready” to support the plan.

On 27 November, Putin claimed that hostilities in Ukraine would end once Ukrainian forces withdrew from territories they currently control in Donbas. He also said he saw no point in negotiating with Zelenskyy, arguing instead for talks with what he called “key international players”.

On 1 December, Putin reportedly visited a Russian command post and announced plans to establish a “security zone” as a buffer. Meanwhile, Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, said Russia would attempt to increase pressure along the front line in the coming weeks, accompanied by inflammatory rhetoric. He also denied Russian claims of their forces having captured the town of Vovchansk.

On 2 December, Putin warned that if Europe “suddenly wants to fight and starts, we will be ready at a moment’s notice”. On 11 December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow had no plans to attack Europe and was prepared to formalise this assurance “in writing in a legal document”.

Sources: European Pravda, transcript of the expanded meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defence Board.

Caption: Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) speaks during an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board, as Defence Minister Andrei Belousov (L) and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces – First Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov sit nearby, at the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow, Russia, 17 December 2025. EPA/KRISTINA KORMILITSYNA/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL