Smarting Putin says NATO is the 'paper tiger' as he accuses Europe of 'hysteria'

At a high-profile appearance at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea that Moscow seeks war with NATO but issued a sharp warning to Western nations.

Putin claimed that while Russia does not want direct conflict with the West, the alliance is already “waging war” against Moscow by supporting Ukraine with military advisors and advanced weapons. Without offering evidence, he alleged that NATO instructors are directly involved in the fighting.

His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump described Russia and its leader as a “paper tiger” a term for something that looks threatening but is weak in reality. In response, Putin hit back by saying:

“If we are comfortable being at war with the whole NATO bloc, but we’re a paper tiger, then what is NATO?”

He dismissed European fears of a Russian attack as “hysteria,” claiming Western leaders are fueling panic for political purposes.

“They repeat this nonsense, this mantra over and over again. I just want to say: cool down, sleep calmly, and take care of your own problems. Just look at what’s happening on the streets of European cities.”

Still, Putin issued a pointed message to NATO, saying that if any nation wants to “compete with us in the military sphere… feel free, let them try.” He warned that Russia’s “countermeasures will not be long in coming.”

The Russian leader also criticized what he called the “dangerous militarisation” of Europe, pledging a “convincing response” from Moscow. His remarks follow reports from Denmark, Norway, and Germany of drone activity near sensitive infrastructure and military facilities in recent days incidents many suspect Russia of orchestrating, though Moscow denies involvement.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to carry out large-scale airstrikes against Ukraine, as peace efforts led by the U.S. show little progress.