Zakharova called on the countries of the South Caucasus to be critical of the exercises with NATO

Any NATO actions in the South Caucasus are aimed at creating a zone of instability and tension there. This was announced on May 6 at a briefing by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova.

"Since April 28, regular command and staff exercises with the participation of NATO have been taking place in Georgia. According to available information, 17 member countries and partners of the military bloc, including Armenia and Azerbaijan, are taking part in the event. Thus, the alliance continues its policy of dragging the republics of the South Caucasus into the orbit of its influence," Zakharova said.

According to her, through such formats of interaction, NATO imposes its ideology and standards on the countries of the region and creates conditions for establishing control over the development of the armed forces of the republics.

"No one should have any illusions: any actions of the North Atlantic Alliance in the South Caucasus are not aimed at strengthening security, but at creating a zone of instability and military-political tension there," Zakharova added.

The diplomat expressed hope that the states of the South Caucasus "will take a critical approach to participating in such events."

Thirty-two plus: NATO decided to take a new member instead of Ukraine

Cyprus has prepared a "thoughtful long-term plan" to join the alliance

Earlier, on May 6, Zakharova ironically commented on reports about Britain's secret preparations for an armed conflict with the Russian Federation. The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that in the event of a conflict, "both the prince and the king will lead British bankers, designers and scientists into battle."