Russia Should Be Prepared for Potential NATO Military Conflict, Says Russian Defense Minister

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov stated at a Defense Ministry meeting that the department must be prepared for "any developments, including potential military conflict with NATO in Europe within the next decade."

"This is evidenced by the decisions made at the NATO summit held this July. It is also reflected in the doctrinal documents of the US and other NATO countries," Belousov said.

He noted that this year, the Russian Armed Forces have been operating within the framework of intense confrontation with the “collective West”, a conflict that continues to escalate.

"This year, Russian forces have liberated nearly 4,500 square kilometers of territory occupied by the enemy," stated Belousov.

On November 19, Putin approved an updated nuclear doctrine for Russia. Under the revised Fundamentals of State Nuclear Deterrence Policy, Russia asserts the right to use nuclear weapons in response to attacks involving weapons of mass destruction against itself or its allies. The doctrine also allows for nuclear use in the event of conventional military aggression against Russia or Belarus.