Russian Foreign Ministry: There are no plans to attack the Baltic states

Russia has no reason to attack NATO, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Interfax, according to The Moscow Times. “Why would Russia attack NATO?” he asked, arguing that the Soviet Union had recognized the Baltic states’ independence and withdrawn peacefully.

Grushko said Western countries were assigning Russia intentions it did not have. He referred to 2030, which Western governments have cited as a possible date for a conflict. If Russia does not attack by then, he said, Western countries would claim that stronger defenses had prevented the assault and would continue increasing military spending.

“

Why would Russia attack NATO? Why? The Soviet Union itself recognized the independence of the Baltic states. And it withdrew peacefully. Why attack them now?

He also accused Europe of showing no genuine political willingness to discuss its concerns with Moscow. In his view, NATO and the European Union are rapidly strengthening their armed forces, expanding military infrastructure on the alliance’s eastern flank, buying more weapons and treating Russia as the main long-term threat in their military strategies.

“This shows that the West is preparing for a possible military conflict with Russia,” Grushko said. “Such a policy does not help improve relations with Moscow.”

“

There is no genuine attitude, no genuine desire on the part of Europeans that would be treated politically as an effort to start a dialogue

The article contrasts those statements with a series of warnings about possible Russian actions. The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. intelligence, reported in August that Russia could try to test NATO’s resolve with a limited attack on one alliance member. Scenarios included a small ground incursion into a Baltic state. The report also said CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned Russian officials in Moscow against attacking Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia.

The article says Moscow has previously accused the Baltic states of violating the rights of Russian-speaking residents and helping Ukraine carry out attacks. Polish officials have warned of a possible provocation modeled on Crimea, while Institute for the Study of War analysts described Russia as being in a “zero phase of preparation for conflict with NATO.” Satellite images reportedly showed 10 new drone-launch bases near NATO borders. The New York Times also reported that Vladimir Putin had tasked Russian security services and the military with undermining NATO and the EU from within in 2026.

“

This shows that the West is preparing for a possible military conflict with Russia. Such a policy does not help improve relations with Moscow