Moscow signals military readiness
Russia is prepared to respond with military and technical means to any threats against it, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with the TASS news agency.
He added that such warnings should “calm the hotheads” within NATO, amid what he described as rising strategic risks of a confrontation between Russia and the alliance.
Warning over NATO escalation
Ryabkov said Russia’s ability to influence internal NATO discussions is linked to the warnings it sends to Western countries on both sides of the Atlantic regarding risks they are allegedly creating.
He stressed Moscow’s “decisive readiness” to counter any new threats, saying this message is delivered regularly to “cool down hotheads” in NATO capitals.
He also warned that Russia cannot ignore what he described as an increase in NATO’s nuclear capabilities, including developments linked to European countries enhancing their own nuclear deterrence alongside the US nuclear umbrella.
Concerns over European nuclear policy
The Russian official specifically referred to France’s plans to develop what he called an “advanced nuclear deterrent”, saying such steps cannot be ignored in Russian military planning.
According to Ryabkov, the risk of a direct NATO–Russia confrontation has increased significantly, while he claimed there is currently no political or military foundation for dialogue between Russia and the West on security issues.
He argued that any future dialogue must take into account what Moscow considers its fundamental security interests.
The comments come amid continued deterioration in relations between Russia and NATO since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Source: CNA
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