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“We Need Their Fear”: What Russian Officials and State TV Are Saying About War with Europe
“Lithuania will disappear.” “We will destroy you.” “On your knees.” Over the past few weeks, Russian officials and state propagandists have unleashed a barrage of threats against European countries as drones, suspected sabotage and airspace violations put NATO increasingly on edge.
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Russian leader Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump on September 8 that Russia had no aggressive plans toward Europe. According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, Putin said: “We have absolutely no aggressive plans toward Europe. The thought has never even crossed our minds.”
Then, over the following days, senior Russian officials threatened the disappearance of Lithuania, the end of Polish statehood, and strikes on Germany, while one of Russia's state television’s most prominent propagandists called for bombing Norway and threatened other European countries.
And the threats are not unfolding in a vacuum.
In August, a drone carrying military-grade explosives was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport, a major logistics hub also used by NATO. The device failed to explode. On September 1, Germany formally blamed Russia for the attempted attack, saying it fit a pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe. Russia denied responsibility.
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Two weeks later, an Italian NATO fighter shot down a drone carrying an explosive device after it entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus. Lithuanian officials said the drone’s origin and intended target were still under investigation. The same day, a Russian warship fired flares toward a Danish military helicopter over the Baltic Sea.
Russia’s “no aggressive plans”
In just a couple of weeks in September, the Russian president, foreign minister, presidential aides, and deputy chairman of the Security Council managed to threaten a “very short” war with Europe.
On Lithuania:
“Those fools don’t understand that if we have to respond to their actions, no one will come to Lithuania’s defense… Lithuania will disappear from the world map.”
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council
On Poland:
“If Poland enters hostilities against Russia, our country will use the entire arsenal of forces and means at our disposal—and Polish statehood will cease to exist within two or three days.”
Nikolai Patrushev, aide to the Russian leader
On Europe as a whole:
“If Europe, which talks every day about preparing for war with Russia, attacks Russia, it will be an entirely different kind of war, and it will be very short.”
Sergey Lavrov, Russian foreign minister
On Europe as a whole:
“What are they pushing their peoples, their countries toward now? War with the Russian Federation? Now they are talking about considering how they might deploy troops to Ukrainian territory. That means war with Russia.”
Vladimir Putin, Russian leader
On Germany:
In response to accusations that Russia was preparing a terrorist attack in Leipzig:
“Given the neo-Nazi, rabidly Russophobic course pursued by Germany’s current leadership, this fabricated act of sabotage is the mildest form of punishment for their sins. They deserve a direct strike on every German facility producing military equipment for the Banderite clique. And quite possibly on certain other locations in Berlin as well.”
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council
Perhaps even more telling, however, were the remarks made in September by one of the leading voices of Russian state propaganda, television host Vladimir Solovyov, responding to German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and addressing EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas:
“Shut up and sit quietly in your Germany! You Germans need to keep your mouths shut and repent, crawling on your knees. Don’t you find yourself ridiculous, you Nazi scum? Your little sow Kaja Kallas already tried croaking something before. But what could be more natural for the Teutonic spirit than to drop dead?”
“Given the violation of the basic Two Plus Four agreements, [Russia should] revoke its recognition of German reunification, refuse to recognize this country at all, demand the restoration of East Germany, and sever all diplomatic relations. There is no such country.”
In response to Norway’s seizure of a Russian vessel:
“It’s time for the Norwegian navy to forget it ever existed. It’s time to sink and seize their ships. It’s time to respond not merely in kind, but to hit them so hard our fists hurt… We should raise an eyebrow and, politely speaking, not just summon the Norwegian ambassador here, but send the fleet over there. If necessary, scramble the aircraft. Bomb them to hell. I am calling for such a level of escalation that there can be no illusions… What the hell is this pseudo-Viking crap called Norway anyway? Who are they?! Does anyone even know what this is, what kind of country it is?! They have a land border in the Far North? Send troops to that border! On your knees, you scum!”
On the Baltic states:
“Actually, these Baltic die-outs yap far too much. They should keep quiet. Otherwise, one day the Russian bear will notice that someone has latched onto its left buttock and is taking little bites—and it might just take a swipe with its paw.”
On the Netherlands:
“We will destroy you. And you, you fool, will be to blame before your unfortunate people. Go smell your tulips and stuff yourselves with cupcakes.”
On the entire world:
“We don’t need their love. We need their fear.”
Is Russia testing NATO?
European officials say spreading that fear may itself be part of the strategy.
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“Europe faces a fast proliferation of sabotage attacks and airspace violations,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 23. “Moscow is trying to scare Europe into winding down its support for Ukraine.”
European intelligence officers raised the possibility of a Russian test of NATO, with one saying a potential attack could come in a matter of “months, not years.” But cautioned that panic risks playing into Kremlin psy-ops.
“If there is reason to fear an attack, rest assured: we will make that clear,” said Estonia’s foreign ministry, Jonatan Vseviov. “Until then, keep calm, carry on and support Ukraine.”
NATO says it has options for responding without mirroring each Russian action.
“We have all the response options,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on September 14. “The response does not always have to be tit-for-tat.”
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