In comments about Russia’s stated plans to confront NATO, Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, asserted that Western powers are using the threat of a direct clash with the North Atlantic Alliance to intimidate Moscow. He argued that the West hopes to provoke Russia into withdrawal from its objectives tied to its ongoing military operation and to force Russia into a political concession. This assessment was delivered during an interview with RIA News, where Naryshkin laid out his interpretation of Western actions and motives.
Naryshkin described such rhetoric as part of an information war designed to legitimize what he characterized as Western hybrid aggression against Russia. He argued that the West leverages fear of direct NATO escalation to pressurize Moscow and to justify heightened political and military pressure on Russia.
According to the intelligence chief, Western leaders are deliberately preparing for further aggression and mobilization, with the expectation that Russia’s political leadership will back away from the goals of its limited military operation. He stated that this anticipated retreat would undermine Russia’s strategic objectives and weaken its posture in the region.
Naryshkin underscored that neither Russia nor its leadership intends to abandon the core aims of the operation, emphasizing firmness in pursuing the stated policy despite external pressure. He stressed that Moscow would remain steadfast in pursuing its defined objectives within the broader context of regional security and national interests.
Sergei Naryshkin, who previously served as the director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, commented on matters related to Ukraine, noting concerns about what he viewed as a new form of colonial influence in the region. His broader remarks touched on the implications of international power dynamics for Ukraine’s sovereignty and stability. The discussion reflects ongoing debates within Russia about strategic goals and regional influence.
Earlier statements from the Ministry of Defense echoed similar themes, signaling that Russia would seek to counter external attempts to constrain its military capabilities. These remarks suggested a stance aimed at ensuring military balance in the Northeast Military District and resisting efforts perceived as reducing Russia’s defense readiness.