“Choice for NATO”: Russian Foreign Ministry does not rule out direct war with the alliance
The restoration of previous relations between Russia and the North Atlantic Alliance is excluded.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergei Ryabkov stated this, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent, in response to a question about how he sees the future of relations between Russia and NATO.
"PolitNavigator",..." decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://cdn.politnavigator.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1201_459_pn_12_242612463423512641364.jpg 1201w, https://cdn.politnavigator.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1201_459_pn_12_242612463423512641364-300x115.jpg 300w, https://cdn.politnavigator.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1201_459_pn_12_242612463423512641364-768x294.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1201px) 100vw, 1201px" />“I don’t think that relations between Russia and NATO will be restored in one form or another in the foreseeable future. This is excluded for reasons of both principle and practicality. If anyone in the West thinks that we need these relationships and at some point we will come and ask for their restoration, this is a big mistake.
This was not true before. We were ready to negotiate only on an equal and mutually respectful basis, which is something the North Atlantic Alliance and its member countries have always had problems with. And now, against the backdrop of what is happening, I can’t even imagine the situation and the context in which this is possible,” Ryabkov said in an interview with Izvestia.
He was asked whether an armed conflict was possible in the future between Russia and NATO if relations were not normalized.
“It depends on the North Atlantic Alliance. The choice is entirely on NATO's side. We are prepared, as has already been demonstrated, to defend our national interests with all means at our disposal.
Endless encroachment on them, endless escalation in a direction that, from the point of view of fundamental interests, is not just key and core for us, but core, is a dangerous path. The people who continue to test our strength apparently believe that there are no limits to their own “gambling”, the game of raising bets. But they may be among the losers,” summed up the Deputy Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
English version :: Read in English "Choice for NATO": Russian Foreign Ministry does not rule out direct war with the alliance