NATO Strike Weapons on Eastern Flank Seen as Main Threat to Russia

NATO Eastern Flank Arms Pose Bigger Threat to Russia

William Moore, Editor

22:59 12-04-2026

Researcher Vasily Klimov says NATO strike weapons on the eastern flank pose a bigger threat to Russia than European militarization alone.

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Vasily Klimov, a researcher at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations’ Center for International Security, says the deployment of NATO strike weapons on the alliance’s eastern flank poses a greater threat to Russia than the militarization of individual European states.

In his assessment, the main danger for Moscow comes not from separate countries, but from the rapid and large-scale buildup of NATO’s overall military potential, especially along the eastern edge of the bloc, directly near the line of contact.

He said the most serious risks in this situation are linked to the deployment of strike systems and the placement of anti-boat defense systems close to Russia’s borders.

At the same time, Klimov said Russia is prepared for any turn of events in the region. He stressed that Moscow has no intention of starting a war with NATO and is instead focused on resolving the accumulated problems in bilateral relations through diplomacy.

In his view, that approach could eventually lead to an equal dialogue that takes both sides’ interests into account. Over time, he believes, it could also help restore transparency in military activity and revive arms control.