Putin blames Western elites for AfD's German state election win

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that the far-right AfD's victory in a German state election resulted from "systemic errors" by Western globalists, whom he accused of believing they were infallible after the Cold War. Speaking to reporters during a visit to India, Putin said Western elites in politics, security, and economics were responsible for events in Europe, including the AfD's result in Saxony-Anhalt. He argued they felt "on top of Olympus" after the Soviet collapse. Putin also dismissed fears of Russian aggression toward Europe, saying "we are not threatening European countries" and that Russia has no motive for conflict with the continent. He added that post-Soviet arrangements were made with Russia's consent.