Russia Building Up Forces in Response to NATO Expansion, Says Defence Minister

Shoigu conveyed this decision during a meeting of the ministry’s governing board.

Russia’s Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, announced on Wednesday that Russia building up forces along its western borders in response to Finland’s recent accession to the U.S.-led NATO alliance

Shoigu emphasized that Poland, a NATO member, had already revealed plans to bolster its military capabilities, and he anticipated a significant influx of NATO forces and weaponry in Finland. The inclusion of Finland in NATO has notably extended Russia‘s land border with the alliance, creating a new strategic dynamic. Shoigu expressed concern over what he referred to as a “proxy war” against Russia waged by the collective Western nations. He cited the considerable support provided to Ukraine in terms of weaponry, a move that he believed was aimed at countering Russia building up forces.

The Russian Defence Minister viewed Finland‘s NATO membership as a destabilizing element, particularly in conjunction with the anticipated future entry of Sweden into the alliance. Both Nordic countries had abandoned their long-standing neutrality to seek NATO membership following Russia building up forces involvement in Ukraine. Shoigu warned that NATO’s potential military contingents and strike capabilities deployed on Finnish soil could pose a threat to Russia building up forces northwest.

Shoigu discussed plans to strengthen Russia building up forces and military groupings along the western borders, specifically in the Leningrad and Moscow military districts

He highlighted Poland’s intention to build a formidable army and criticized it as the main instrument of the United States’ anti-Russian policies. Shoigu also pointed out a significant increase in the number of NATO military units stationed in Eastern Europe since last year.

In response to these perceived threats to Russia building up forces, Shoigu emphasized the need for a prompt and proportionate response. He pledged to address these challenges during the meeting and make appropriate decisions to neutralize the potential risks.

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