Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Western countries are currently increasing military preparations as a step towards a possible confrontation with Russia.
He accused NATO and the European Union (EU) of using the threat from Moscow as an excuse to increase defense spending and strengthen military assets in the European region.
In response, Putin stressed that Russia will continue to accelerate the modernization of its armed forces, focusing on strengthening the nuclear triad that includes land-based ballistic missiles, strategic submarines and long-range bombers.
The move is aimed at ensuring that Russia's defense and counterattack capabilities remain strong as a deterrent against any external threat.
The statement was made while the war in Ukraine is still ongoing. Since the conflict began, Russia has repeatedly warned the West not to increase military aid to Ukraine.
However, continued support from NATO countries, including the entry of Finland and Sweden as new members, is seen by Moscow as a direct threat to its national security.
At the same time, European countries continue to increase defense budgets and accelerate the production of military assets such as tanks, artillery systems and fighter jets.
The move is made in preparation for any possible large-scale conflict in the coming years.
This development increases concerns about the risk of miscommunication between Russia and NATO.
The accumulation of military assets near the borders of both sides could increase the risk of misunderstandings or operational errors that could potentially trigger a larger conflict, including the threat of the use of nuclear weapons.
