NATO drills show it is preparing for potential conflict with Russia, Moscow says

MOSCOW, May 4: NATOs four-month long military exercises near Russias borders, known as Steadfast Defender, are proof the alliance is preparing for a potential conflict with Russia, a spokeswoman for Russias Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

The spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, dismissed accusations by NATO this week that Russia is engaged in hybrid attacks on its member states, saying this was misleading "misinformation" aimed at distracting people from the alliances activities.

It was NATO that had waged a hybrid war with Russia by supporting Ukraine with arms, intelligence and finances, she said in a statement.
"Right now, NATOs largest exercise since the Cold War, Steadfast Defender, is taking place near Russias borders. According to their scenario, coalitions actions against Russia are being practiced using all the instruments, including hybrid and conventional weapons," she said in a statement.

"We have to admit that NATO is seriously preparing for a potential conflict with us."

Relations between Russia and the West have been at their most hostile in decades following the start of Russias military conflict in Ukraine in 2022.    —REUTERS