“As for preparing an attack against NATO, this is utter nonsense. Once again, I urge everyone to listen to the primary source: our President Putin,” Peskov told reporters, commenting on the recent statement by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the matter.

The day before, Merz stated on the ARD-Arena television program, responding to questions from German citizens, that Russia is supposedly seeking to impose its influence in the post-Soviet space through military force.

The Chancellor made it clear that it is unclear whether this definition would also include the Baltic states, which are already part of NATO.

Russia has denounced unprecedented activity by the Atlantic alliance near its western borders in recent years, while the bloc justifies these actions as measures to “contain Russian aggression.”

Moscow has repeatedly expressed its concern about the increase in NATO forces in Europe. The Kremlin made it clear that, while Russia does not pose a threat to anyone, it will not ignore this potentially dangerous activity.

jdt/arm/mem/gfa