The Russian Defense Minister said that NATO is strengthening the anti-Russian course, which leads to an escalation of the conflictMoscow.
April, 4. INTERFAX - NATO is strengthening its anti-Russian course, which leads to an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, but this will not affect the outcome of a special military operation, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"The North Atlantic bloc is strengthening its anti-Russian course, which leads to an escalation of the conflict," Shoigu said on a conference call on Tuesday.
According to him, the United States and its allies are increasing military assistance to Ukraine.
"Of course, all this creates risks of a significant expansion of the conflict, but it will not affect the outcome of the special operation," Shoigu said.
"It has been stated that this year alone they are ready to supply over 200 Western-made tanks, more than 400 modern armored combat vehicles," the Russian Defense Minister said.
Shoigu said that long-range weapons of destruction are being supplied to the Ukrainian army, including rockets with an increased range of up to 150 km, and the possibility of transferring ATACMS operational and tactical missiles with a launch range of up to 300 km and F-16 tactical fighters to Kiev is also being considered.
"NATO is carrying out a set of measures to increase the combat readiness of the United Armed Forces, intensifying combat training and intelligence activities near the borders of Russia and Belarus," he said.