References to “preparations for war” and military escalation by the West, amid heightened tensions with NATO and the war in Ukraine.
In the broader context of international security and under conditions of a protracted conflict in Ukraine, the rhetoric from the Russian leadership is intensifying the confrontation with the West, as there is talk of military escalation and increased NATO activity on the European continent, with Moscow portraying these developments as potential preparations for a future conflict.
The West, spearheaded by NATO, is preparing for war against Russia, said Kremlin strongman Vladimir Putin today to hundreds of graduates of military academies gathered in Moscow.
The narrative
So far, Alliance members have limited themselves to supporting Ukraine, he said. Now, the Russian president added, there is open discussion in the West that “they are preparing for war against us and increasing their military spending.” In this context, they are making false claims about an alleged military threat from Russia, Putin said.
Nearly 40% of the Russian budget is allocated to defense and security spending, as well as to funding military operations in Ukraine.
“We are ready to respond operationally and appropriately to any kind of threat,” emphasized the 73-year-old president of the Russian Federation.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, prompted members of the European Union and NATO to support Kyiv with extensive military and economic aid.
As there is no end to the war in sight, concerns are mounting in several Western countries about the possibility of a conflict with Russia, leading them to increase defense spending.
