Putin blames European governments for AfD win, warns against Ukraine troop deployment

Russian President Vladimir Putin attributed the German far-right AfD party's victory in Saxony-Anhalt state elections to Western countries' security and economic mistakes, accusing European governments of provoking war with Russia. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS summit, Putin claimed European elites frighten their populations with a fabricated Russian threat, suggesting German election results reflect citizens' understanding of the situation. He insisted Russia poses no threat to Europe. Putin warned that sending European troops to Ukraine would mean war with Russia, and referenced a recent phone call with US President Donald Trump, reiterating Russia has no aggressive plans toward Europe.