President Vladimir Putin, addressing the graduates of military academies in Russia on Tuesday, was asked about Europeans providing weapons to Ukraine to bomb Russia, whether or not they recognized the consequences.
Putin responded: “Apparently not—though there is growing unease within their societies, and those forces that do not want confrontation, that publicly call for building relations with our country, are gaining ground.
“Look at what is happening in Germany. All the political forces that advocate aggression against Russia, that push for escalation and armed conflict—their ratings are plummeting. Every party that champions that path is seeing its support steadily decline. Conversely, those who want to restore normal relations with us, to stop this endless drive for a strategic defeat of Russia, are on the rise. All those who want normal relations with us. I think it will happen; it will eventually work out.
“They have not yet gone so far as to launch anything from their own territory; they understand that would invite a retaliatory strike. I think everyone realizes that—or ought to—and so they are doing everything they can to keep their distance….
“Before World War II, the Soviet Union did everything possible to prevent the conflict. It proposed an alliance to all the European powers against the aggressive Nazi regime in Germany. But these proposals were rejected, and those same countries began signing agreements with Hitler themselves.
“Who signed the agreement in 1938? Those same Western countries: France and Great Britain. The British Prime Minister returned to London, stepped off the airplane waving the agreement and shouting, “I have brought you peace.” Though, to be fair, there were sensible people in Great Britain who said, “Now war is inevitable.” And that is exactly what happened.
