Why Vladislav Maslennikov says NATO is preparing for a war with Russia
Russian diplomat Vladislav Maslennikov warns NATO is treating Russia as its main long-term threat, boosting forces near Russian borders and planning for possible conflict.
Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for European Cooperation Vladislav Maslennikov believes NATO is effectively preparing for war with Russia.
He pointed out that in all of the alliance’s current doctrinal documents, Moscow is formally designated as the most serious and direct security threat. NATO, he noted, also stresses separately that Russia will remain a threat to member states even after the conflict in Ukraine is over.
On this basis, Maslennikov argued that the alliance is in practice gearing up for a potential confrontation with Russia: according to him, NATO is increasing military spending, building up its capabilities along Russia’s borders, and deploying new missions and operations in Eastern Europe.
He previously stated that, of all the formats of interaction between Russia and NATO, only an emergency communication channel is still functioning. Maslennikov said the alliance cut off all other contacts with Moscow back in 2022.
He also recalled that in November last year, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius suggested that a conflict between Russia and NATO could break out before 2029. Pistorius said Berlin intends to gradually form a reserve from former conscripts in order to strengthen the country’s defense potential.