Vladimir Putin warns NATO forces of crossing ‘red line’ as Ukraine tension mounts

Vladimir Putin has slammed the NATO presence closing in on his territory, warning global superpowers against crossing a clear boundary.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned NATO countries to keep out of Russian affairs over its troop movements near the Ukraine border. Picture: Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned NATO countries to step away from the superpower’s affairs with Ukraine, warning the deployment of overseas troops in the region would be crossing an invisible “red line”.

There are growing fears that Russia is planning an invasion of Ukraine after the superpower deployed 100,000 troops to the border, with US warships and spy planes recently spotted in the Black Sea as tensions in the region mount.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky last month claimed Western countries have shared intelligence about Moscow military movement.

“I hope the whole world can now clearly see who really wants peace and who is concentrating nearly 100,000 soldiers at our border,” he said.

Footage released earlier this year appeared to show a convoy of Russian tanks, armoured vehicles and soldiers massing near the city of Voronezh – roughly 300km from the Ukrainian border.

However, Russian officials have quashed suggestions of invasion and instead criticised the increasing activity in the region by the NATO transatlantic alliance.

In a televised press conference on Wednesday, Mr Putin warned rival superpowers against “creating threats” to the motherland.

“You asked about Ukraine, where are these red lines?” he said. “They are above all in the creation of threats to us which could come from [Ukraine].”

Mr Putin warned against rivals stationing missile defence systems in Ukraine, claiming the proximity to Moscow was a step too far. He went on to say that Russia could deploy hypersonic missiles in retaliation, adding: “We can do that already now.”

Mr Putin said: “We would have to create a similar threat for those who are threatening us.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned NATO countries to stay out of the superpower’s affairs with Ukraine. Picture: Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Russia has routinely downplayed its military activity in the region. Picture: Sergei Malgavko\TASS via Getty Images

“In our dialogue with the United States and its allies, we will insist on practical agreements that will rule out any further eastward expansion of NATO as well as deploying weaponry near our territory that might threaten us.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been outspoken against the potential of a new Cold War in the region, revealing the US remains on high alert over Russia’s “increasingly bellicose rhetoric” and “unusual” troop movements.

“Any escalatory actions by Russia would be a great concern to the United States … and any renewed aggression would trigger serious consequences,” he said on Tuesday.

Russian state-backed media has strongly opposed suggestions of aggression, routinely shooting down criticism of its military developments as incitement.

TV presenter Dmitry Kiselyov boldly claimed the recent presence of NATO ships and planes in the Black Sea proved the West was “clearly trying to feel out the weak points in our defence”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Western media reports that Moscow has intentions to invade Ukraine as a “hollow and unfounded attempt to incite tensions”.

“Russia doesn’t threaten anyone. The movement of troops on our territory shouldn’t be a cause for anyone’s concern,” he said.

Last month, NTV presenter Irada Zeynalova accused the West of “exacerbating the situation”, which was now “almost at boiling point both in the air and the sea”.

Over 8000 servicemen and about 350 items of military hardware and weaponry taking part in an amphibious landing drill in Crimea. Picture: Sergei Malgavko\TASS via Getty Images

“It is already dangerous,” she said, citing a “very alarming” military situation with NATO countries mobilising troops ahead of a potential showdown.

The development came after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia has “no right” to demand Ukraine be permanently excluded from the alliance.

“It’s Ukraine and 30 NATO allies that decide when Ukraine is ready to join NATO,” he said.

“Russia has no veto, Russia has no say and Russia has no right to establish a sphere of influence, trying to control their neighbours. This idea that NATO’s support to sovereign nations is a provocation is just wrong.”

In a Wednesday address to parliament, Mr Zelensky said the time had come to address the Kremlin directly over the stalemate in the east of the country that has been threatening to spill over since 2014.

“For the past eight years we have been scared to admit to ourselves that we will not be able to stop the war without direct talks with Russia – along with a capable Ukrainian army,” he said.

– with Alexis Carey