In a speech at a benefit dinner in Las Vegas on Monday, potential 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton emphasized the threat of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the importance of European countries becoming energy independent.

According to Fox News, Clinton was paid $225,000 to speak at the dinner benefitting the University of Nevada at the Bellagio hotel. About 900 people attended. Wall Street Journal reports that the money will go towards her family's charity, The Clinton Foundation.

During her speech, Clinton discussed the power Putin has over European countries, as some "just don't want to confront Putin in any way," she said during a question-and-answer session.

"I think that's a mistake," Clinton continued. "I think he is at heart a bully and you have to be smart; not confrontational, but you have to stand up and you have to encircle and you have to try to choke off his ability to be so aggressive."

The former U.S. Secretary of State also pointed out that Putin is a former skilled KGB agent who is "very coldblooded," interested in advancing himself and his country's influence past its borders.

"... Putin is trying to rewrite Ukraine and threatening other places as well," Clinton said. "We cannot let that happen because there will be no stop to it."

Clinton added that during her time as secretary of state, she encouraged European countries to diminish their dependence on Russia by developing energy independence but did not see many results.

"I think there was an unwillingness on the part of the Europeans to commit to that," she explained. "Each country was pretty much looking out for its own energy needs. Now, of course, they're scrambling to figure out how to get out from under Russian intimidation using energy as a weapon. And the United States needs to stay deeply involved in working with our allies in Europe -- to move them toward more energy independence."

Finally, Clinton said she is considering running for the Democratic nomination in the 2016 presidential election.

"As I make my decision, part of what I will be thinking about is, 'What do I want to do with the next years of my life,'" she said "How do I want to spend my time?"

---

Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

Related