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https://voennoedelo.com/en/posts/id14133-russia-denies-arms-race-as-nato-expands-military-plans

Russia Denies Arms Race as NATO Expands Military Plans

Russia Rejects Arms Race Claims Amid NATO Military Build-Up

Russia Denies Arms Race as NATO Expands Military Plans

Andrei Kolesnik says Russia is not in an arms race, while NATO boosts defense spending, develops new weapons, and discusses nuclear deployment in Europe.

2026-03-17T23:40:02+03:00

2026-03-17T23:40:02+03:00

2026-03-17T23:40:02+03:00

According to State Duma Defense Committee member Andrei Kolesnik, Russia is not engaged in an arms race but is instead steadily strengthening its defensive capabilities. He argues that NATO countries are the ones actively expanding their military potential, increasing defense spending and channeling more resources into their military-industrial sectors. In his view, these states are also intensifying efforts to develop new types of weapons. Kolesnik expressed particular concern over discussions in several European countries about hosting nuclear weapons from France and the United Kingdom. He pointed to Poland as an example, noting that its authorities have repeatedly raised the issue. At the same time, he stressed that Russia must maintain a high level of defense readiness. He also claimed that, at present, Russia significantly outpaces Western countries in terms of armaments. Earlier, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said that the planned «Golden Dome» missile defense system would include space-based weapons. The concept involves creating a new type of shield combining strike capabilities with a network of sensors.

Russia arms race, NATO military buildup, Andrei Kolesnik, nuclear weapons Europe, Poland nuclear plans, defense policy Russia, Golden Dome system, US missile defense

2026

Fred Turner

news

Russia Rejects Arms Race Claims Amid NATO Military Build-Up

Arlington National Cemetery, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Fred Turner, Editor

02:40 18-03-2026

Andrei Kolesnik says Russia is not in an arms race, while NATO boosts defense spending, develops new weapons, and discusses nuclear deployment in Europe.

According to State Duma Defense Committee member Andrei Kolesnik, Russia is not engaged in an arms race but is instead steadily strengthening its defensive capabilities.

He argues that NATO countries are the ones actively expanding their military potential, increasing defense spending and channeling more resources into their military-industrial sectors. In his view, these states are also intensifying efforts to develop new types of weapons.

Kolesnik expressed particular concern over discussions in several European countries about hosting nuclear weapons from France and the United Kingdom. He pointed to Poland as an example, noting that its authorities have repeatedly raised the issue.

At the same time, he stressed that Russia must maintain a high level of defense readiness. He also claimed that, at present, Russia significantly outpaces Western countries in terms of armaments.

Earlier, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said that the planned «Golden Dome» missile defense system would include space-based weapons. The concept involves creating a new type of shield combining strike capabilities with a network of sensors.