Russian President Vladimir Putin said that NATO's effort to increase defense spending is not a "threat" to Russia.
This statement, made during a press conference in the late hours of June 18, comes a few days before the alliance signs a plan to strengthen its military capabilities across Europe.
The Russian leader also said his troops would not stop advancing into Ukraine, as he attempted to undermine the authority of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Western military alliance will hold a key summit in The Hague next week, where NATO member states will discuss increasing defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product, as US President Donald Trump repeatedly demands that alliance members increase spending.
Putin has presented his offensive in Ukraine - which he launched in February 2022 - as part of a wider conflict between Russia and NATO, which has supported Kiev since the start of the war.
"We do not consider any rearmament by NATO as a threat to the Russian Federation, because we can guarantee our own security," Putin said during a press conference in St. Petersburg.
Russia is "constantly modernizing its armed forces and defense capabilities," he said, adding that "it makes no sense for NATO to spend more money on weapons."
However, he acknowledged that if NATO states were to spend more, it would create some "particular" challenges for Russia.
"We will respond to all threats that arise," Putin added.
Kiev is seeking security guarantees from NATO as part of any agreement that would stop the fighting.
Moscow has shown little willingness to stop the fighting, and Putin said Russia has a "strategic advantage" on the battlefield.
"Our troops are advancing along the entire line of contact. Every day, more or less, but every day they are advancing and will continue to advance," Putin said.
Putin also attempted to justify the war against Ukraine by questioning Zelensky's legitimacy, while denying that his state targets civilians through daily airstrikes.
He said he is willing to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, but only "in the final phase" of negotiations to end the three-year conflict.
Putin also suggested that Zelensky has no right to sign any peace agreement, saying his five-year term as president has expired. Putin has previously spoken about Zelensky's term, but Kiev has dismissed those statements as propaganda. /REL (A2 Televizion)
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