Russia is accusing European countries of being a threat just because they are improving their own military defences, according to experts. These experts believe that Russia is using this claim as an excuse to possibly attack NATO countries in the future. European nations have been spending more on defence, partly because former U.S. President Donald Trump pushed them to take more responsibility for their own security. But the Russian government is twisting this to make it look like Europe is preparing to harm Russia.
A think tank called the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in a recent report that Russian officials held a conference on April 30 with military leaders from Belarus, North Korea, and Vietnam. During the meeting, Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister, Colonel General Viktor Goremykin, accused the West of helping Ukraine pass anti-Russian policies. He said these policies are a direct danger to Russia.
Goremykin also said that the European Union’s plan to rebuild and strengthen its military over the next five years is something Russia cannot accept. He warned that Russia would do whatever it thinks is necessary to protect itself.
Belarus’s Defence Minister, General Viktor Khrenin, added that Europe’s military build-up could harm global peace. He also said that countries like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are promoting hatred toward Russia through their government actions.
Experts say that Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin leaders have been making more threats against European countries, especially the Baltic States, which include Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
At the same time, the United States and Ukraine have signed a new agreement about mineral resources. This deal will allow the U.S. to access important minerals from Ukraine and will give Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, more confidence that America supports his country in the ongoing war with Russia.
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy praised the deal between the U.S. and Ukraine. He said the UK strongly supports Ukraine and that the agreement helps strengthen the long-term economic and security partnership between the two countries.
