The Kremlin condemned as “militaristic and pro-war rhetoric“ the statements of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, according to whom Russia could attack a NATO member state in the near future, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
“There are no supporters of any confrontation with NATO in Russia, but we are forced to take measures to protect our security and legitimate interests“, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “Similar militarist and pro-war rhetoric is increasingly heard from European capitals“, he added.
The German Defense Minister said in interview with “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung“ that Russia could attack a NATO country after 2029.
Moscow has repeatedly accused NATO of preparing for war against Russia and of massive armament. President Vladimir Putin called the assumption that Russia would want to attack the alliance absurd. The Russian Foreign Ministry also rejected Pistorius's words, calling them the statement of an “aggressor“.
In his interview with the newspaper, published on Saturday, Pistorius indicated that some experts believe that Russia could be ready to attack NATO as early as 2028, and military historians even define this summer as the last peaceful one. He emphasized that NATO has “significant deterrent potential“, including conventional and nuclear weapons.