Kremlin says NATO's 'confrontational actions' prompt Russia to take response measures

MOSCOW

NATO's confrontational actions prompt Russia to take response measures, the Kremlin spokesman said on Thursday.

"We see NATO's decision to create logistics hubs in Black Sea cities and open additional points in Europe. NATO's military infrastructure is progressively moving towards our borders," Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing in St. Petersburg.

The official also said the alliance's leaders openly declared "the suppression of Russia and inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia" as one of their main goals.

Peskov described NATO as "a powerful alliance of states pursuing policies hostile to Russia," emphasizing that the bloc does not try to hide this.

"NATO is de facto fully involved in the conflict over Ukraine. It is time to call all the processes here by their proper names," he noted.

Commenting on the July 9-11 NATO summit in Washington, Peskov said it demonstrated the confrontational nature of the alliance.

"The North Atlantic Alliance has once again vividly confirmed its essence. It is an alliance created in the era of confrontation to maintain confrontation. The alliance fulfills its functions. Tensions are escalating on the European continent," he said.

"This obliges us to deeply analyze the decisions taken, the discussions that occurred, and the text of the declaration very carefully. This is a very serious threat to our national security. All of this will require a thoughtful, coordinated, and effective response from us to counter NATO," he stressed.

The documents adopted during the summit confirm that its member states oppose dialogue and peace, he argued, saying: "The North Atlantic Alliance is an instrument of confrontation, not a security tool."

Asked about discussions around the correction of the Russian nuclear doctrine in response to NATO's actions, Peskov confirmed that they are underway, emphasizing that nuclear deterrence is not "the only possible response."

Regarding media reports claiming Saudi Arabia plans to hold a peace summit on Ukraine, Peskov said the agenda of the meeting is important, not its location.

"President (of Russia Vladimir) Putin and the Russian Federation are always open to dialogue, we have never refused dialogue, but we must understand what is at stake," he said.

The official reiterated Russia's willingness to discuss security in Europe, highlighting the importance of negotiating the entire complex of problems, not just separate issues.

As for the "red lines," Peskov underscored that the expansion of NATO into Ukraine is "an unacceptable threat to Russia's existence."

Peskov also criticized the pressure on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for his "peace trip" to Russia, during which he tried to analyze the possibility of achieving peace in Ukraine.