Putin Calls European Leaders ‘Piglets’, Warns Russia Will Seize More Ukrainian Land

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday sharply escalated his rhetoric against Europe, deriding European leaders as “piglets” and warning that Russia will capture more Ukrainian territory by force unless Kyiv and its Western allies engage seriously with ongoing peace efforts.

Speaking at Russia’s Defence Ministry annual meeting, Putin claimed that Russian forces were advancing along multiple fronts and said Moscow would achieve what it describes as the “liberation” of its historical lands either through negotiations or military action.

“If the opposing side and their foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means,” Putin said.

The comments come as US-backed diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, despite separate talks involving Russia, Ukraine and European nations. Kyiv and its allies continue to oppose any settlement that would require territorial concessions, insisting instead on firm international security guarantees.

Russia Controls Nearly One-Fifth of Ukraine

According to Reuters, Russia currently occupies around 19 per cent of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea—annexed in 2014—most of the Donbas region, large parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and smaller sections of other regions. Ukraine rejects Moscow’s territorial claims, which are also not recognised by most of the international community.

Russia’s Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said Moscow plans to increase the pace of its military offensive in 2026, signalling that the conflict could intensify further. Official figures presented during the meeting showed Russia spending 5.1 per cent of its GDP on the war in 2025, underscoring the scale of its military commitment.

Putin Accuses Europe of Fueling War Hysteria

Putin accused European governments of deliberately inflaming tensions, claiming they were spreading “hysteria” by warning that Russia could eventually attack Nato countries.

He dismissed such claims as “lies” and “pure nonsense,” alleging that Western leaders were pursuing policies aimed at weakening Russia—an accusation repeatedly denied by European capitals.

Belousov echoed the criticism, accusing European powers of undermining peace initiatives and openly discussing the possibility of a future Russia–Nato conflict, which he said risked prolonging the war into 2026.

Zelenskyy Calls for Use of Frozen Russian Assets

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged allies to intensify support for Kyiv, warning that Russia must be shown its war ambitions will ultimately fail.

Zelenskyy renewed calls for the use of nearly $250 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets held mainly in Europe to support Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction. While EU governments have agreed to keep the assets frozen indefinitely, concerns over legal implications persist.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that the United States is considering additional sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector, including measures against oil tankers linked to Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, should Russia refuse to engage meaningfully in peace talks.