Russia: as NATO returns to Cold War 'schemes,' we are ready to respond

(Reuters) – The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the latest NATO summit, stating that it showed the Western alliance’s return to “Cold War schemes”. The ministry affirmed that Russia is prepared to respond to threats using “all means”. The NATO summit, which took place in Lithuania, concluded with the United States and its allies providing new security assurances to Ukraine against Moscow. This development occurred more than 500 days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, the summit saw a positive prospect, as Sweden now contemplates joining the military alliance after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dropped his prior objections.

In a statement issued late Wednesday, the Russian ministry noted that it will carefully analyze the results of the Vilnius Summit. Considering the challenges and threats to Russia’s security and interests, the ministry pledged to respond in a timely and appropriate manner, utilizing all available means and methods. According to the ministry, the summit demonstrated NATO’s “inability to adapt to the new geopolitical situation in the world”. It accused NATO of continuously reducing the threshold for the use of force, thereby escalating political and military tensions.

The ministry further criticized NATO’s decision to supply Ukraine with more modern and long-range weapons, stating that it was prolonging the conflict until exhaustion. In response, Russia claimed it would continue to strengthen its military organization and defense system. U.S. President Joe Biden also weighed in on the situation, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of a “craven lust for land and power”. However, Biden commended NATO’s unity and support for Ukraine.

Maxim Rodionov reporting; Editing by Leslie Adler and Rosalba O’Brien