Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that NATO members' refusal to participate in the US and Israeli military operation against Iran has intensified internal contradictions within the alliance.

At the same time, he described statements by the US president about a possible withdrawal from NATO as largely demonstrative. He said Washington may take symbolic steps such as reducing troop presence or limiting certain deliveries, but considers an actual US exit from NATO unlikely. According to him, there are no practical grounds for such a move, and it would not be approved by the US Congress.

Medvedev also warned of the risk of a more dangerous opponent for Russia than the current NATO. In his view, the European Union, recognizing its dependence on the United States and the internal problems of the alliance, is gradually moving toward becoming an independent military bloc.

He said the EU could lose its status as purely an economic union and evolve into a full-fledged military alliance that would be hostile toward Russia.

In this context, he called for abandoning a tolerant approach to the accession of neighboring countries, including Ukraine, to the European Union.