Putin accuses Europe of preparing for war against Russia

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Europe of preparing for war with Moscow through a surge in defense spending to regulate weapons programs on a massive scale.

"Now in the West they are openly saying that they are preparing a war with us, and increasing their military and offensive budgets," Putin said in a meeting with Russian military and law enforcement officials on Tuesday 23 June, quoted by AFP.

In recent months, Russia has become increasingly critical of European efforts to support Ukraine, including Europe's move to try to "stop" US President Donald Trump from encouraging Ukraine to accept peace with Russia.

During the meeting, Putin also reiterated that Ukraine should completely withdraw from the eastern Donbas region. According to him, at this time, Russian forces are on the verge of capturing the key Ukrainian stronghold of Kostiantynivka.

Putin also said that the recent wave of Western-backed Ukrainian counterattacks targeted Russian infrastructure designed to "shake its society".

He said this was referring to Ukraine's massive attack on Moksow burning an oil refinery, black smoke soaring high in the sky over the Russian capital last week.