Putin Calls European Leaders “Pigs,” Accuses Them of Pushing Europe Toward War

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday used unusually harsh language toward European leaders, calling them “pigs” and accusing them of joining the previous U.S. administration in deliberately steering the situation toward an armed conflict.

Speaking at an expanded meeting of the board of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Putin claimed that European Union leaders acted out of self-interest and profit, believing they could benefit from Russia’s collapse, Russian state media RIA Novosti reported.

“European pigs immediately joined the work of the previous U.S. administration, hoping to profit from the collapse of our country,” Putin said.

According to Putin, Western countries believed they would be able to destroy Russia within a short period of time, a calculation he said proved fundamentally wrong.

The Russian president also reiterated that Moscow would achieve its territorial objectives in Ukraine either through diplomacy or by military force, according to The Guardian.

Putin stated that the goals of what Russia describes as its “special military operation” would be fulfilled “unconditionally.”

“If they do not want a substantive discussion, then Russia will liberate its historical lands on the battlefield,” Putin said.

At the same time, Putin denied that Russia plans to invade NATO member states, instead claiming that the alliance itself has been preparing for a possible military confrontation with Russia.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions between Moscow and European capitals, as well as continued fighting in Ukraine and growing concerns over the future security architecture of Europe.