The actions of Western countries have brought the situation in the sphere of strategic stability to a critical point, beyond which lies a difficult-to-manage increase in tension and the danger of a direct armed clash between Russia and NATO. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov during a discussion within the framework of the Valdai International Discussion Club, quoted by TASS, BTA reports.
According to him, at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, the administration of former US President Joe Biden, focused on the “hostile and extremely risky idea of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia“, has taken a series of highly escalating measures. They have led to a sharp increase in the general level of tension.
Ryabkov pointed out that these actions were actively supported by the most radical European members of NATO, among which Great Britain and France - both nuclear allies of the United States - stood out with particular aggressiveness. According to him, it was precisely the series of such steps that brought the situation to the brink of the abyss, behind which lies the risk of a direct military conflict between Russia and the Alliance.
The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that such a development would mean a direct clash between nuclear powers with extremely serious, even catastrophic consequences. He assured that Moscow has no intention of attacking European Union or NATO countries and does not pursue the conquest goals attributed to it.
Ryabkov also recalled the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia is ready to even legally fix these guarantees within the framework of a possible settlement of the current crisis, based on the principle of equal and indivisible security. However, in his words, there are very few countries in Europe that would be willing to build a security system together with Russia, and not against it. He expressed the opinion that the concept of “indivisible security“ is practically applied only within the collective West.
According to Ryabkov, this does not give grounds for optimism and shows that even with a more moderate approach from the United States, the risks of a clash between Russia and NATO remain high due to the hostile actions of European countries. He added that it was under the pretext of Moscow's alleged aggressive plans that large-scale programs for new militarization have been launched in European capitals, accompanied by calls for preparations for a large-scale war.
The Pentagon's strategic orientation towards achieving military superiority over all opponents also causes concern, Ryabkov noted. According to him, this is clearly evident from the ambitious project to build a global missile defense system, known as the “Golden Dome“. This system, according to him, is designed as a deep-echelon shield against all types of missiles of all potential adversaries.
Thus, after years of denial, it is now openly acknowledged that the American missile defense is directed not only against the so-called “pariah states“, but also against strategic rivals such as Russia and China, the deputy minister said.
Nevertheless, slow progress is being reported in the negotiations with the US, which, according to Ryabkov, is accompanied by attempts by influential countries to sabotage the diplomatic process. He expressed the opinion that a possible Russian-American agreement on Ukraine is precisely what a number of European capitals fear, and assured that Moscow will continue its efforts in this direction.
In conclusion, Ryabkov emphasized that the Kaliningrad region is an integral part of the Russian Federation and its security, normal functioning and the lives of citizens there will be guaranteed with all the means at the disposal of the Russian state.