Ulyanov called a direct clash between Russia and the EU and NATO unlikely.

A direct clash between Russia and the European Union (EU) and NATO is unlikely, and the West is "not at all comfortable with this." This was announced on April 11 by Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna.

"To say that there is some kind of clash with the European Union - not even with NATO, because the Americans are clearly not in the mood to engage in a military confrontation — there are no signs of this," he said in an interview with Rossiya—24 TV channel.

The diplomat stressed that the EU is "not at all ready" to enter into a confrontation with Russia, since it does not have the necessary capabilities and political will for this.

According to Ulyanov, European countries are accustomed to a comfortable life, so they can hardly imagine themselves participating in any direct conflict.

Clan or Gone: The West forms new alliances within NATO

France is looking for allies for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine

The French newspaper Le Figaro, citing sources, reported on March 30 that senior officials in Europe were preparing for a possible confrontation with Russia. The publication quoted the words of a high-ranking French officer who believes that Europe needs to prepare for the worst, but without expectations of the outbreak of World War.