Zakharova criticizes NATO exercises in Finland as ‘provocative’

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Wednesday criticized NATO exercises scheduled to start Friday near the Russian-Finnish border, describing them as provocative.

“NATO military exercises near Russia’s borders are provocative in nature. Their task is to exert military pressure on the Russian Federation through a demonstration of force,” she said.

She went on to say that “representatives of the North Atlantic bloc are deliberately stoking hysteria around the alleged ‘threat’ posed by Russia, including actively spreading insinuations about Russian plans to attack the organization’s member states, to justify efforts. ”

Russia vigilant against Western aggression

Moreover, Russia’s top official suggested that the military exercises in Finland are part of a hybrid war strategy aimed at Russia.

“Helsinki is trying to complete his official ‘residency’ in NATO as a ‘new recruit’ as quickly as possible and become a full participant in this endeavor,” Zakharova said.

She noted that NATO continues its active military involvement in a country that was previously neutral and played a respected role in discussions on stability and improving security.

The maneuvers near the Russian borders increase the risk of possible military incidents, Zakharova emphasizes.

Elsewhere in her remarks, she emphasized that Russia is closely monitoring “the aggressive actions of the collective West.”

“Zakharova will without any doubt take all necessary measures of political, military and technical nature to counter the threats to our country’s defense capabilities.

Peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through a battlefield: the Finnish president.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on April 8 that the only way to achieve peace in the conflict in Ukraine is through the battlefield.

“The only way we can achieve peace is through the battlefield,” he said CNN.

At the same time, he pointed out that Ukrainian society is tired of the more than two-year-old conflict, adding that there is a complete lack of political dialogue between Finland and Russia.

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