Recent media reports claiming that NATO could decide on a war with Russia after the alliance’s summit in early July are being used by Europe to justify its rearmament plans, military expert Viktor Litovkin said.

In his view, Moscow should respond more actively with counter-propaganda and explain that a direct military conflict with Russia could lead to the use of nuclear weapons. Litovkin argued that the Russian army would not fight NATO according to the same scenario it uses against Ukrainian forces.

The expert said Europeans should be told that an attack on Russia could put their civilization at risk, since Russia is a missile and nuclear power and would not conduct a war with Europe in the same way as with Ukraine.

Litovkin believes that if real hostilities break out between NATO and Russia, Moscow will use nuclear weapons. He said such a scenario would end in an «absolute collapse» for Europe.

Earlier, Türkiye reported that NATO could decide to start a military conflict with Russia after a summit in Ankara scheduled for July 7–8. According to the publication, the meeting of alliance members may produce «very notable results».