President Vladimir Putin has insisted that Russia is not a threat in the slightest to the West, assuring that people have nothing to be afraid of.
The president added that he is still steadfast on making a peace deal with Ukraine following a recent flare-up in the eastern part of the country.
"The world has changed so much that people in their right mind cannot imagine such a large-scale military conflict today. We have other things to do, I can assure you," Putin said in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere del Sera that was published on Sunday.
The Russian president also ruled out a major conflict between Russia and countries that are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). "Only a sick person - and even then only in his sleep - can imagine that Russia would suddenly attack NATO." he added.
He spoke ahead of his trip to Italy in the coming week, which will include a meeting with Pope Francis.
Putin's interview was released before the G7 leaders are preparing for a summit in the Bavarian Alps this weekend minus Russia.
The Russian president stated that the country was merely protecting itself from potential outside threats, the Agence France-Presse reported.
The Western alliance is currently boosting its military presence in Eastern Europe as a response to a possible threat from Russia after the country became involved in a conflict with Ukraine.
NATO claims that Russia is backing rebels in the Ukraine, which Moscow vehemently denied, according to BBC News.
There are three Baltic countries that are currently preparing for NATO troops to have a more permanent presence in their respective countries in order to put off the Russian military.
