Putin: West openly preparing for war with Russia, hiking military budgets
Synopsis
Putin's Tuesday address to military graduates escalated his rhetoric sharply — accusing the West not merely of supporting Ukraine but of openly preparing for direct war with Russia. The explicit framing of NATO as an aggressor building 'offensive budgets' marks a notable hardening of the Kremlin's public posture at a critical moment in the conflict.
Key Takeaways
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday accused Western nations of openly preparing for war with Russia and increasing military offensive budgets.
Putin made the remarks at a meeting with graduates of higher military educational institutions in Moscow .
He argued the 'pseudo-democratic West' creates threats against Russia and then accuses Moscow of aggression to justify its own policies.
Putin rejected the Western 'rules-based world order,' calling it a cover for 'neocolonial ambitions' and interference in sovereign states.
His written statement was also presented at the 12th Primakov Readings Forum , read by aide Yuri Ushakov .
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday declared that Western nations are openly discussing preparations for war with Russia and are steadily expanding their military offensive budgets, according to state media reports from Moscow. Putin made the remarks at a meeting with graduates of higher military educational institutions.
What Putin Said
Speaking to the gathering, Putin stated: 'We see that while NATO countries previously limited themselves to supporting the Kyiv regime, which came to power through illegal armed means and a coup d'etat, now the West is openly saying that they are preparing for war with us and are increasing their military offensive budgets.'
He argued that the 'pseudo-democratic West' first manufactures threats against Russia, compelling Moscow to take what he described as necessary self-defence measures, and then accuses Russia of 'all mortal sins' to justify continuing what he called aggressive policies and actions.
Rules-Based Order Under Fire
Putin also took direct aim at the Western concept of a 'rules-based world order,' asserting that this framework conceals 'blatant neocolonial ambitions' and a disregard for the sovereignty of independent states. His written statement read: 'Russia, like many others in the world, is categorically unsatisfied with such rules.'
He outlined Moscow's alternative vision, calling for 'truly democratic foundations of world order, binding norms of international law, the indisputable authority of the UN Security Council, mutual respect and equality for all countries, and their free choice of development paths.'
Context: Primakov Readings Forum
The remarks were delivered as part of Putin's greeting to participants of the 12th International Scientific and Expert Forum 'Primakov Readings,' themed 'A World Without Rules: A Power Game.' Putin described the forum's theme as one that 'very accurately characterises the alarming trends' now evident in contemporary international relations.
The greeting was read aloud by Yuri Ushakov, the Russian leader's aide for international affairs, in Putin's absence from the event.
Broader Significance
The statements come amid sustained Western military and financial support for Ukraine and repeated NATO expansions in eastern Europe following Russia's military campaign. Putin's framing — casting Russia as a reactive, defensive actor against an aggressive West — is consistent with the Kremlin's longstanding public narrative, though Western governments and independent analysts broadly contest this characterisation. Notably, this is among the most explicit public references by Putin to the West 'preparing for war,' language that raises the rhetorical stakes at a sensitive juncture in the conflict.
Point of View
Making the appeal to international norms selectively convenient. Mainstream coverage tends to treat such statements as routine; the sharper read is that each incremental escalation in Putin's rhetoric has historically preceded a corresponding escalation on the ground.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Putin say about the West and war with Russia?
Putin stated that Western nations are now openly saying they are preparing for war with Russia and are increasing their military offensive budgets. He made these remarks on Tuesday at a meeting with graduates of higher military educational institutions in Moscow.
What is the Primakov Readings forum?
The Primakov Readings is an international scientific and expert forum held in Russia. The 12th edition, at which Putin's written statement was presented, was themed 'A World Without Rules: A Power Game,' which Putin said accurately reflects alarming trends in contemporary international relations.
How did Putin characterise Western support for Ukraine?
Putin argued that NATO countries had previously limited themselves to supporting the Kyiv regime, but have now moved to openly declaring preparations for war with Russia. He described the Kyiv government as having come to power through what he called 'illegal armed means and a coup d'etat.'
What alternative world order does Putin advocate?
Putin called for what he described as 'truly democratic foundations of world order,' including binding norms of international law, the authority of the UN Security Council, mutual respect, equality among nations, and the right of countries to freely choose their development paths.
Who delivered Putin's statement at the Primakov Readings?
Putin's written greeting to the Primakov Readings forum was read by Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president's aide for international affairs.
