Russia Escalates: Calls UK Leader 'Little Pig,' Points Missiles at London, Issues 'Fatal Mistake' Warning to Trump Over Venezuela

In a blistering escalation that has sent shockwaves through NATO capitals, Russian President Vladimir Putin has branded European leaders supporting Ukraine as "European little pigs," vowed to aim advanced missiles at London from Belarusian soil, and issued veiled threats toward President Donald Trump, as transatlantic tensions reach a fever pitch.

Putin unleashed a scathing attack on Western leaders during an expanded meeting of the Defense Ministry board on Dec. 17, accusing Joe Biden of deliberately provoking the war in Ukraine and deriding European allies as opportunistic followers.

"Everyone assumed that they would destroy Russia in a short period of time, they would ruin it," Putin said. "And the European piglets immediately joined in to aid the former American administration in this task. They were hoping to profit from the collapse of our country. To get back something that was lost in previous historical periods and try to take revenge. As it has now become obvious to everyone. All these attempts and all these destructive plans towards Russia completely failed."

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Putin touted Russia's resilience, declaring, "Russia has demonstrated its steadiness in the economy, finance, in the internal political situation of the society [...] and in the sphere of defence capacity."

He expressed openness to dialogue with Europe but dismissed the current leadership, stating a productive exchange is unlikely until political changes occur there.

In a direct challenge to NATO, Putin confirmed the imminent deployment of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile system to Belarus.

Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Oleh Ivashchenko described the move as aimed at pressuring Europe rather than Ukraine.

"The deployment of Oreshnik on Belarusian territory is a means of pressure primarily on the EU and NATO, not on Ukraine," Ivashchenko said. "This move will allow Russia to expand its capabilities for striking the capital of any European country and significantly reduce missile flight time compared to launching from the Kapustin Yar test site."

The system, positioned just 124 miles from Lithuania, NATO's closest border, would drastically shorten flight times to European capitals, including an estimated eight minutes to London.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the missiles arrived in Belarus on Dec. 17 and entered combat duty immediately.

Separately, Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a stern warning to the Trump administration over escalating U.S. actions against Venezuela, a close Moscow ally.

"We note the continuous and deliberate escalation of tensions around Venezuela, a country friendly to us. Of particular concern is the unilateral nature of decisions that pose a threat to international shipping," the ministry said in a statement."We hope that the D. Trump administration, which is characterised by a rational and pragmatic approach, will not make a fatal mistake."

The statement called for normalized dialogue between Washington and Caracas, warning against actions with "unpredictable consequences for the entire Western Hemisphere."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed concerns about rising regional tensions, urging restraint.

Putin's remarks come as EU leaders prepare to discuss funding for Ukraine, including potential use of frozen Russian assets, and amid ongoing U.S.-brokered efforts toward a Ukraine, Russia peace settlement.