Russia (Washington Insider Magazine)- Russia said it would “counter” the expansion of NATO infrastructure in Europe and expressed concern about the military alliance’s gradual approach to its borders amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced this stance after the recent NATO summit in Washington, DC.
Kremlin’s Reaction to NATO Summit Decisions
During the summit, NATO leaders decided to establish separate logistics hubs in Black Sea cities and open additional facilities across Europe. Peskov highlighted these moves, calling them a significant threat to Russia’s national security. He emphasized the need for Russia to devise coordinated and effective responses to deter NATO’s advances.
US and Germany’s Missile Deployment Plans
Significantly, plans for “episodic deployments” of long-range missiles in Germany starting in 2026 were disclosed by the US and Germany. Hypersonic weapons, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and surface-to-air SM-6 missiles will all be deployed during this time. Furthermore, NATO declared the opening of a new US air defense installation in northern Poland with the goal of identifying and thwarting ballistic missile assaults.
NATO’s Persistent Confrontational Stance
According to Aljazeera, Peskov reiterated that NATO’s actions reflect its core purpose of maintaining confrontation, a stance rooted in its creation during the Cold War. This viewpoint underscores Russia’s perception of NATO as a continuous threat to its security.
Russia’s Response to US Missile Activities
Last month, President Vladimir Putin called for the resumption of production of intermediate and shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles in response to the US deploying similar missiles in Europe and Asia. Putin had previously considered not deploying such missiles in Kaliningrad but noted the US’s renewed production and deployment activities in Denmark and the Philippines.
Concerns Over Potential Russia-NATO Confrontation
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed fear over a direct conflict between Russia and NATO on the sidelines of the NATO meeting. He stressed the significance of carefully avoiding actions that could lead to such a confrontation, underlining the general concern about growing tensions.
Russia seeks to preserve its national security interests in the face of increased military activity near its borders by closely watching NATO’s actions and developing strategic responses.
