Head of Russia’s Foreign Ministry Department for European Affairs, Vladislav Maslennikov, claimed in an interview with the TASS news agency that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is increasing its military capacity and engaging in doctrinal preparations for a possible conflict with Russia.
Emphasis on a “Direct Security Threat”
Maslennikov recalled that Russia is defined as the “most important and direct security threat” in all of NATO’s core strategic documents, noting that the bloc has emphasized that this assessment will not change in the long term, even if the conflict in Ukraine ends.
The Russian diplomat commented on NATO’s activities on the ground, stating: “NATO is effectively preparing for a possible conflict with Russia by increasing military spending, strengthening its capacities along Russia’s borders, and deploying additional missions and operational units in Eastern Europe.”
The 2029 Timeline and Diplomatic Reactions
The report also referenced a previous statement by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who predicted that a war between Russia and NATO could begin by 2029. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described these statements as “evidence of aggression,” while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that such rhetoric escalates tensions.
Defense and Strategic Perspective
Maslennikov’s remarks reflect the diplomatic dimension of the tension between the increasing NATO presence in Eastern Europe and the Baltics and Russia’s military fortifications in these regions. Experts underline that a complete breakdown of dialogue between the two sides raises the risk factor of military activity in the region.
Source: C4Defence / TASS
