MOSCOW: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized in an interview published on Thursday that while Russia-NATO relations are deteriorating, Moscow has no intention of engaging in conflict with a NATO country.
Grushko highlighted that the worsening of relations between Russia and NATO has been deliberate and predictable, with all channels of dialogue between the two sides reaching a critically low level due to actions taken by Washington and Brussels.
Addressing concerns about the possibility of open conflict, Grushko suggested that it is important to inquire with NATO members themselves. He reiterated that Russia does not harbor any intentions of entering into conflict with NATO member countries. Grushko’s comments come amidst heightened tensions between Russia and the NATO alliance, particularly in the aftermath of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, which began in 2022.
President Vladimir Putin initiated the military operation in Ukraine with the stated goal of preventing NATO expansion near Russia’s borders. However, the conflict has had the unintended consequence of strengthening NATO’s solidarity, with the alliance admitting new members such as Finland and Sweden, bringing its total membership to 32 countries.
NATO has been actively supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, providing advanced weaponry, training, and intelligence. Russia perceives NATO’s involvement in Ukraine as making the alliance a big party to the conflict. Putin himself has warned that a direct conflict between Russia and NATO would pose a grave threat to global stability, potentially escalating into a scenario akin to World War Three.
Grushko’s remarks underscore Russia’s desire to avoid direct confrontation with NATO while highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing tensions between Russia and the Western alliance. Despite the challenges in diplomatic relations, Grushko’s statement reflects Moscow’s commitment to preventing further escalation and seeking avenues for dialogue and de-escalation.
