Shoigu: NATO has moved from deterrence to collective defense near Russian bordersMOSCOW, Nov 2 — RIA Novosti.
NATO is creating a full-scale collective defense system near Russia's borders, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting of the joint board of the military departments of Moscow and Minsk.
The head of the military department recalled that at the end of June, NATO adopted a new strategic concept of the bloc, where Moscow was called the main source of security threats.
Shoigu noted that in Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in the Baltic States, the alliance has deployed armed formations of countries from other regions. In addition, new multinational battalion tactical groups are being created in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
Because of these actions, the NATO grouping has grown 2.5 times since February 2022 and reached a number of more than 30 thousand people. At the same time, the alliance's forces in the region may continue to increase in the near future.
According to the minister, the United States and its allies are purposefully working against Moscow.
He noted that the current situation is primarily beneficial to the United States. Washington seeks to use world problems to preserve global leadership and maximize the weakening of other countries, including its allies in Europe, Shoigu stressed.
The buildup of NATO forces in the region also threatens Belarus. In addition, other allies of Russia may also be under attack.
"The Republic of Belarus has been and remains our closest neighbor, loyal ally and reliable partner. This is especially important today, when tensions are rapidly increasing in the world, the foundations of strategic stability are being destroyed, the role of international institutions is declining and confrontation between the West and Russia is intensifying," the minister said.
In the context of an increase in the NATO grouping, the Russian Ministry of Defense considers it a priority to ensure the military security of the Union State.
"We focus on training troops and improving their combat capabilities. We regularly hold joint operational and combat training events, including within the framework of the international organizations of the CSTO, the CIS and the SCO," Shoigu said.
The unified defense space of Russia and Belarus continues to be formed.
Also, according to the decision of the presidents of the two countries, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, since October 22, combat coordination events of formations and military units of the regional grouping have been held on the territory of Belarus.
The West and the situation in Ukraine
In addition, Shoigu touched upon the policy of the United States and its allies on the conflict in Ukraine.
The Minister recalled that "Kiev uses prohibited methods of confrontation — terrorist attacks, contract killings and shelling of civilians with heavy weapons." But Western countries try not to notice the crimes of the Ukrainian authorities.
"Moreover, they encourage the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. The Ukrainian armed forces are constantly being pumped up with modern weapons and ammunition," the minister added.
At the same time, the West is directly involved in Kiev's anti-Russian actions.
In addition, the United States and EU countries defiantly ignore elements of nuclear blackmail by Kiev, in particular provocations against the Zaporozhye NPP.
According to Shoigu, Moscow is aware of Ukraine's attempts to create a "dirty" nuclear bomb, as well as its readiness to deploy NATO nuclear weapons on its territory.
The Minister also recalled that the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, called on Western countries to launch preventive nuclear strikes against Russia.
