Prepared for military reply, Russia's Vladimir Putin warns West & Nato

The Russian president has for weeks accused the United States and the Washington-led Nato military alliance of stoking tensions near Moscow's borders

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia was prepared to take military steps in response to “unfriendly” Western actions over the Ukraine conflict, in a sharp escalation of rhetoric.

He also called for “serious negotiations” on Russian security demands put to the United States and Nato during his first call with new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who in turn called for “de-escalation”.

Meanwhile, Russian and US negotiators will sit down for talks early next year to discuss Moscow’s demand for Western guarantees precluding Nato’s expansion to Ukraine, Russia’s top diplomat said on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia in January will