In response to the escalating tensions over the war in Ukraine, Russia has declared its intention to counteract the expansion of NATO infrastructure in Europe. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Russia perceives NATO as constantly moving towards its borders and considers its actions as a significant threat to national security.

Peskov's remarks came after NATO leaders announced decisions at this week's summit in Washington, DC. These decisions included the creation of separate logistics hubs in Black Sea cities and the opening of additional facilities in Europe. Russia views these moves as provocative and has pledged to respond with thoughtful, coordinated, and effective measures to deter and counteract NATO.

Adding to the tension, the United States and Germany revealed at the summit that episodic deployments of long-range missiles would take place in Germany starting from 2026. The arsenal will include surface-to-air SM-6 missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and hypersonic weapons. Moreover, NATO confirmed the operational readiness of a new US air defense base in northern Poland, aimed at detecting and intercepting ballistic missile attacks as part of a broader NATO missile shield.

According to Peskov, these developments reaffirm that NATO is an alliance founded during a confrontational era and designed to perpetuate confrontation. In response to the increased NATO presence, President Vladimir Putin has previously suggested that Russia should resume production of intermediate and shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles and determine suitable deployment locations. Putin cited the US deployment of similar missiles in Europe and Asia as justification for Russia's actions.

Notably, a major factor contributing to tensions is the withdrawal of the United States from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019. The treaty, signed by the US and the Soviet Union in 1987, prohibited ground-based missiles with a range exceeding 500km (310 miles). The US accused Russia of violating the treaty, leading to its withdrawal.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed concern about the possibility of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO. Erdogan urged all parties to consciously avoid steps that could exacerbate the situation.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, Ukraine seeks to bolster its armed forces with additional weapons to resist Russian pressure. Ukraine claims that the fiercest fighting across the front line is concentrated in the region.

As tensions between Russia and NATO continue to escalate, the international community closely watches for further developments and hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.