NATO’s ongoing rearmament of member states, increase in military spending, and restructuring of its command systems are designed in anticipation of a potential armed conflict with Russia, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko.
“If we look at NATO, we really see this,” Grushko told RIA Novosti.
“It is reflected not only in exercises, but also in strategies to re-equip armies, increase military budgets, reform the command structure, and create new commands. All these military constructions are largely tailored to prepare for a military clash with Russia,” he said during the Forum of the Future 2050.
Grushko said NATO’s military stance towards Russia was a key factor influencing Moscow’s political and defence relations with alliance members.
Russia has repeatedly condemned what it views as NATO’s expanding military footprint near its western frontiers, accusing the alliance of exploiting the “Russian threat” narrative to justify its continued expansion eastward.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has maintained that Moscow remains open to dialogue with NATO but insists it must be conducted on equal footing.
It also called on Western nations to halt their militarisation of the continent.
(NAN)