During a meeting in Beijing with Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, President Vladimir Putin firmly dispelled fears that Russia plans to attack Europe, calling such ideas “absolute nonsense” and “hysteria.” He stressed:

“Russia has never had, and never will have, the intentions to attack others.”
The TimesElHuffPost

Putin also clarified that while Russia does not oppose Ukraine’s entry into the European Union, NATO membership remains unacceptable. He framed NATO’s eastward expansion as a primary reason for regional instability and tension.