Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that while Russia does not desire a conflict with European nations, it is fully prepared to engage in war if provoked. Speaking on Tuesday, Putin expressed that European demands regarding a potential peace settlement for Ukraine are unacceptable to Moscow. He accused European powers of obstructing peace proposals from the United States, asserting that they lack a genuine peaceful agenda. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously warned that Putin may be planning a significant military escalation in Europe by 2029 or 2030. Zelensky's concerns stem from the ongoing military actions and sanctions against Russia, which he believes have failed to deter Putin's ambitions. Recently, Putin claimed he had no intention of attacking Europe, despite France's announcement of conscription measures in response to perceived threats from Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron stated, "The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it." Tensions have escalated further as Russia rejected a 28-point peace proposal from Europe, coinciding with a recent aerial strike that resulted in four fatalities. Experts are now speculating about potential future targets for Russian aggression, with Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia identified as possible next victims following Ukraine. In a related development, Russia has accused NATO of preparing for a major war, following comments from NATO officials suggesting the possibility of pre-emptive strikes against Russian targets. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of NATO's Military Committee, indicated that the alliance might need to adopt a more aggressive stance in response to ongoing threats from Russia. Moscow has reacted strongly to these statements, warning of "consequences" if NATO proceeds with any pre-emptive actions. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the NATO comments as "an extremely irresponsible step" and accused the alliance of escalating tensions. Denis Gonchar, the Russian ambassador to Belgium, echoed these sentiments, claiming that NATO is attempting to intimidate European citizens with unfounded fears of a Russian attack. He stated that NATO is preparing for a major conflict with Russia, further complicating the already tense situation. As diplomatic efforts continue to seek an end to the three-year conflict in Ukraine, discussions are ongoing between European and US officials. Donald Trump has indicated that peace negotiations are progressing well, although significant challenges remain. The situation remains fluid, with both sides navigating a complex landscape of military posturing and diplomatic negotiations, as the spectre of a broader conflict looms over Europe.