Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that there are some calls in the West to prepare for a major war with Russia, describing it as "hysteria" and "lies and nonsense." Putin added during an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry: "In Europe, they are instilling fear in people's minds about the inevitability of a clash with Russia and raising the level of hysteria, claiming the need to prepare for a major war. I have said many times that this is lies, nonsense, and sheer nonsense." He also said that if Ukraine and the West abandon peace talks, Russia will seize the territories it claims in Ukraine by military means.
