The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern about the growing number of participants in NATO exercises in the Asia-Pacific region

Russia is concerned about the increase in the number of participants in NATO exercises in the Asia-Pacific region (APR). This was announced on March 22 by Lyudmila Vorobyova, Director of the Third Asia Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"The West's purposeful course towards the implementation of the strategic objective of the "natification" of Asia cannot but cause concern. The range and composition of participants in NATO exercises in the Asia—Pacific region is constantly increasing," Vorobyova said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to her, within the framework of these exercises, all possible scenarios are played out, up to and including waging an "all-out war." In addition, she stressed that Japan is an active supporter of NATO's interest in the Asia-Pacific region and promotes theses with "clear anti-Russian overtones."

"Against this background, we are witnessing an increase in the intensity of Tokyo's joint exercises with non—regional European countries, including with access by foreign units to the island state's military infrastructure facilities," the diplomat stressed.

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Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Department of European Affairs at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said on March 13 that NATO, as it expands, poses additional threats to Russia's security in the Arctic. At the moment, military and political tensions in the region are growing. It was noted that due to NATO's actions in the region, there is a risk of creating new challenges and threats to the security of the Russian Federation and its national interests.