Defense minister says Russia must be ready for conflict with NATO
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has stated that Russia must be ready for a direct confrontation with NATO in the coming decade. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The ongoing "tough struggle” between Moscow and the US-led military bloc is intensifying, according to Defense Minister Andrey Belousov.
Belousov warned that a direct clash between Russia and NATO could occur within the next decade, emphasizing the need for the country to be prepared. He made these remarks during a meeting with high-ranking defense officials in Moscow on Monday, which was led by President Vladimir Putin, the commander-in-chief. He stated that the Russian military had successfully fulfilled its objectives in the Ukraine conflict and other missions this year amid a “tough struggle with the collective West.”
He cautioned that Moscow's confrontation with the US and its allies “continues to intensify and expand.”
In light of these tensions, a key priority for the Russian Defense Ministry is “ensuring full readiness for any development of the situation in the medium term,” Belousov explained. He mentioned that this readiness includes the prospect of “a possible military conflict with NATO in Europe in the next decade.”
He asserted that any such conflict would be instigated by the US-led military bloc, not by Moscow. The potential for this escalation is “indicated by the decisions that were made at the NATO summit in July” and is also evident in the strategic documents of the US and other NATO nations, he elaborated.
Belousov highlighted that NATO is currently implementing a new combat readiness system, which would enable it to mobilize a 100,000-strong force along Russia’s western borders within ten days, a 300,000-strong force within a month, and an 800,000-strong formation within 180 days.
In a final declaration from its summit in Washington, NATO members reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The document accused Moscow of attempting to “fundamentally reconfigure the Euro-Atlantic security architecture” and described Russia as “the most significant and direct threat to allies’ security” that “will persist into the long term.”
During the same meeting, Putin remarked that the US aims “to weaken our country and inflict a strategic defeat” on Russia by relentlessly “pumping a de facto illegitimate ruling regime in Kiev with weapons and money” and sending mercenaries and military advisors, thereby exacerbating the conflict. He accused Washington of deliberately attempting to “push us to the red line” and using Moscow’s potential responses to “frighten their population.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Belousov warned that a direct clash between Russia and NATO could occur within the next decade, emphasizing the need for the country to be prepared. He made these remarks during a meeting with high-ranking defense officials in Moscow on Monday, which was led by President Vladimir Putin, the commander-in-chief. He stated that the Russian military had successfully fulfilled its objectives in the Ukraine conflict and other missions this year amid a “tough struggle with the collective West.”
He cautioned that Moscow's confrontation with the US and its allies “continues to intensify and expand.”
In light of these tensions, a key priority for the Russian Defense Ministry is “ensuring full readiness for any development of the situation in the medium term,” Belousov explained. He mentioned that this readiness includes the prospect of “a possible military conflict with NATO in Europe in the next decade.”
He asserted that any such conflict would be instigated by the US-led military bloc, not by Moscow. The potential for this escalation is “indicated by the decisions that were made at the NATO summit in July” and is also evident in the strategic documents of the US and other NATO nations, he elaborated.
Belousov highlighted that NATO is currently implementing a new combat readiness system, which would enable it to mobilize a 100,000-strong force along Russia’s western borders within ten days, a 300,000-strong force within a month, and an 800,000-strong formation within 180 days.
In a final declaration from its summit in Washington, NATO members reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The document accused Moscow of attempting to “fundamentally reconfigure the Euro-Atlantic security architecture” and described Russia as “the most significant and direct threat to allies’ security” that “will persist into the long term.”
During the same meeting, Putin remarked that the US aims “to weaken our country and inflict a strategic defeat” on Russia by relentlessly “pumping a de facto illegitimate ruling regime in Kiev with weapons and money” and sending mercenaries and military advisors, thereby exacerbating the conflict. He accused Washington of deliberately attempting to “push us to the red line” and using Moscow’s potential responses to “frighten their population.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
