Russian Foreign Ministry says NATO is preparing for an armed conflict with Russia

NATO is preparing for an armed conflict with Russia, and Moscow takes these risks into account in its military planning. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Alexander Grushko.

"If we summarize - NATO is preparing for an armed conflict with Russia. Our proposals to strengthen military security have been rejected by the United States and its allies <...> It is in everyone's interest not to bring the situation to such experiments," he pointed out in an interview with kp.ru on December 20.

Glushko noted that the Russian side has consistently pursued a course of avoiding a direct clash, in particular by demonstrating its military capabilities. He also admitted that the signals sent by Russia about the possible consequences of a "show of force" with Moscow are read in the West.

The deputy head of the diplomatic ministry also said that Russia's security would be ensured under any scenario.

Pikne on the sidelines: Russian military closely monitoring NATO exercises in Estonia

In response to Western maneuvers, Bastion coastal missile systems practiced weapons tactics on the coast of the Gulf of Finland

On November 25, the head of the military committee of the alliance, Admiral Rob Bauer said that NATO is discussing the possibility of launching preventive strikes against Russia in case of conflict with it by the alliance countries. It was specified that in case of a hypothetical attack, the alliance should try to strike with high-precision means to hit launchers in the Russian Federation.

Commenting on this statement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called it absolutely irresponsible. Reacting also to discussions in Washington about the potential transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine, he said that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief makes the final decision in this matter, and the statements of politicians are aimed at attracting public attention.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Club on November 7, called NATO the only remaining bloc in the world and a blatant anachronism. He noted that the alliance, which has lost its relevance, violates international norms and its own principles.