Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the deployment of European troops to Ukraine would escalate into a war with Russia, highlighting rising tensions between Europe and Moscow. This assertion was reported by the state-run news agency Tass, as Putin addressed journalists on Friday. According to Anadolu Agency, Putin accused Western nations of using Ukraine as a tool to undermine Russia, suggesting that their ultimate goal is to destabilize the Russian Federation. He elaborated on the history of conflicts, referencing past incidents in the Caucasus and the current situation in Ukraine, which he described as a 'neo-Nazi regime.' Furthermore, Putin emphasized that Moscow poses no threat to European countries, despite claims by European elites who, he says, are instilling fear among their populations about an 'imaginary threat from Russia.' He reassured that Russia has no basis for conflict with Europe, questioning why such a threat would even be considered. In addition to his warnings about military escalation, Putin criticized Europe's energy policies. He predicted that mistakes in these policies would lead to increased gas prices for European consumers, while asserting that Russia continues to sell its energy resources at market-based prices.