NATO is actively preparing for a direct military confrontation with Russia, which the alliance’s strategists expect could erupt within the next three to five years. The warning came from Yulia Zhdanova, head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna talks on military security and arms control.

Zhdanova made the statement on November 9 during an international roundtable titled «Militarization of Europe: What Next?», held at the OSCE headquarters in Vienna, RIA Novosti reported.

According to the Russian diplomat, NATO’s military preparations increasingly contradict the public statements of its leadership. While Secretary General Mark Rutte continues to insist that Russia poses no immediate threat, the alliance is openly revealing increasingly hostile plans directed against Moscow.

Zhdanova drew particular attention to the «theory of victory» presented in October by Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe. She explained that the proposed strategy includes launching strikes deep into Russian territory, targeting not only military installations but other facilities as well. At the same time, NATO’s political and military leadership claims its forces are ready to enter combat at any moment.

The diplomat also warned that the alliance’s confrontation with Moscow is not limited to the prospect of war in the coming years. NATO’s strategic documents identify Russia as the most significant and direct long-term security threat, a designation that is expected to remain in place even after the conflict in Ukraine is resolved.

In Zhdanova’s assessment, NATO is pursuing a prolonged confrontation with Russia that is increasingly becoming an objective in itself. She accused the European Union of fully supporting this course and transforming into an aggressive military-political bloc that follows the same strategic priorities as the North Atlantic alliance.

As further evidence of this approach, the Russian diplomat pointed to the rapid expansion of military spending and defense production across Europe. Both NATO and the EU are pouring more resources into their armed forces while stepping up the output of their defense industries.