Vladislav Maslenikov, head of the European Affairs Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated today that NATO is actively preparing for a potential conflict with Russia.
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Speaking to TASS, Maslenikov said, “Russia is currently defined as the ‘most significant and immediate security threat’ in all NATO doctrinal documents, and the alliance asserts that this threat will remain long-term, even if the conflict in Ukraine is resolved.” This was in response to a question about whether Russia and NATO could resume dialogue at present or in the future.
He added, “Accordingly, NATO is effectively preparing for a possible confrontation with Russia by increasing military spending, enhancing its capabilities along our borders, and deploying additional missions and operations in Eastern Europe.”
Maslenikov noted that only an emergency communication channel remains between Russia and NATO after the alliance cut off formal relations with Russia. “In 2022, NATO severed all communications with us, leaving only an emergency line,” he said.
He also claimed that NATO froze dialogue with Russia in 2014 and ignored Russian initiatives aimed at reducing military tensions in Europe. Efforts to establish a serious dialogue on mutual security guarantees, including a draft agreement submitted to NATO in December 2021 in Brussels, were reportedly met with no positive response.
Last November, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that a war between Russia and NATO could erupt before 2029. In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said there was no longer any doubt about the identity of the aggressor. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added that Pistorius would have to accept that a war between NATO and Russia is “inevitable.”
