Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to the West on Friday, emphasizing that any strike on Russian territory would provoke a “very serious, if not overwhelming” response. While reiterating that dialogue is always preferable to conflict, he criticized Western sanctions and highlighted Russia’s resilience in the face of political and economic pressure.

Putin mocked minor sanctions, including restrictions on consumer goods, and underscored Russia’s pivotal role in global energy markets. He also confirmed that preparatory talks with the U.S. would be led by Foreign Minister Lavrov and Secretary of State Rubio, stressing that negotiations must be carefully planned to yield meaningful results.