(Dan Tri) – The Secretary of the Russian Security Council criticized NATO’s exercises for increasing tensions while preparing for an armed conflict scenario with Moscow.
Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev (Photo: TASS).
`The Steadfast Defender 2024 exercise, in which the scenario of armed confrontation with Russia is being rehearsed, is certainly increasing tensions and destabilizing the world situation,` Secretary of the National Security Council
Steadfast Defender 2024 is considered the largest exercise that NATO has conducted in decades, starting at the end of January and expected to end in May.
According to Supreme Commander NATO Allied Forces in Europe Christopher Cavoli, the exercise involves approximately 90,000 soldiers from all 32 member states.
German soldiers transport US soldiers on M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles as they cross the Vistula River during exercise Steadfast Defender 2024 in Korzeniewo, Poland on March 4 (Photo: Reuters).
Mr. Patrushev said NATO’s growing military spending was a sign of the alliance’s `increasingly aggressive nature.`
`America’s destructive role in modern history is clear. No country has ever caused so many wars, military conflicts and caused so many devastating economic crises,` the Russian official said.
Mr. Patrushev described NATO as an `important tool` used by Washington to pressure and influence other countries.
`The aggressive NATO bloc, which has approached Russia’s western border, is an important tool for Washington to influence other countries. During its 75 years of existence as a guarantor of peace and democracy,
He also warned that NATO is planning to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as in the Arctic.
Late last month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also warned that NATO military exercises were a threat and that NATO was a `tool of confrontation` used by the US.
Speaking ahead of the exercise in January, General Cavoli said that the exercise would simulate `an emerging conflict scenario against a near-peer adversary`, covering thousands of kilometers across Europe.
Earlier this year, multiple senior officials from NATO member states, including Britain, Germany and Estonia, accused Russia of planning to attack the bloc within the next few years.
Moscow continuously denied the above statements, with President Vladimir Putin emphasizing that Russia `has no geopolitical, economic or military interest… in waging war against NATO`.
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