The Russian government has accused NATO of being directly involved in the conflict with Ukraine, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He stated that the military alliance’s backing for Kyiv makes it a participant in the war, emphasizing that “NATO is at war with Russia.” This assertion followed remarks from Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who questioned Western security guarantees for Ukraine involving NATO forces.
Peskov countered that the U.S.-led bloc is already entangled in the conflict, claiming it provides both direct and indirect aid to the Kyiv regime. “There is no doubt that NATO is engaged in this war,” he asserted. The statement comes amid reports that 41 nations have supported Ukraine’s military efforts since February 2022, with most contributions from NATO members. According to Germany’s Kiel Institute, 29 of NATO’s 32 countries have provided financial and military assistance, including weapons systems ranging from armored vehicles to drones and missiles.
NATO has also pushed for increased military spending among European allies, aiming to raise defense budgets to 5% of GDP. Officials claim Russia could target member states after resolving the Ukraine conflict. Moscow dismissed these claims as baseless, accusing the West of inflating threats to justify higher military budgets and divert attention from domestic issues. It has repeatedly cited NATO’s eastward expansion as a key cause of the war, insisting that any resolution must address Russian security concerns through Ukrainian demilitarization and neutrality.
The Kremlin’s stance underscores its view that Western support for Ukraine is not merely diplomatic but a direct escalation of hostilities, framing NATO’s actions as a strategic provocation.