A direct clash in between Russia and NATO could take place within the next ten years and the country must be gotten ready for it, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has said.He was speaking at a meeting of leading defense authorities in Moscow on Monday, which was chaired by commander-in-chief, President Vladimir Putin.
Belousov said the Russian military had performed its tasks in the Ukraine dispute and in other places this year against the background of atough struggle with the cumulative West.Moscows ongoing standoff with the US and its alliescontinues to heighten and expand, he warned.In such conditions, among the main objectives for the Russian Defense Ministryis ensuring full readiness for any advancement of the circumstance in the medium term, the minister said.This includesa possible military dispute with NATO in Europe in the next years, he added.Belousov made it clear that such a clash would be provoked by the US-led military bloc, and not Moscow.The possibility of such a conflict isindicated by the decisions that were made at the NATO summit in July.
This is likewise reflected in the doctrinal documents of the United States and other NATO countries, he explained.He noted that NATO was currently changing to a new combat preparedness system that is anticipated to permit it to deploy a 100,000-strong grouping along Russias western borders within 10 days, a 300,000-strong grouping within a month, and a 800,000-strong grouping within 180 days.In the final statement of its summit in Washington, NATO member states vowed to continue supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
The file blamed Moscow for looking for tofundamentally reconfigure the Euro-Atlantic security architecture.The blocs members also described Russia asthe most substantial and direct risk to allies securitythatwill continue into the long term.During his speech at the exact same meeting, Putin stated the United States was seekingto compromise our nation and cause a strategic defeaton Russia by continuingto pump a de facto illegitimate judgment program in Kiev with weapons and cash, sending mercenaries and military advisers, therefore motivating more escalation of the conflict.Washingtons method is to deliberatelypush us to the red lineand, when Moscow starts to respond, use it tofrighten their population, he said.(Source: RT)