NATO decision to declare Russia enemy destabilizes Europe: Patrushev

Russian Security Council Secretary, Nikolai Patrushev, considered NATO's decision to declare Russia an enemy escalates tensions, destabilizes security in Europe, and contradicts the NATO-Russia Founding Act.

At a meeting on national security in the Russian Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, Patrushev said that "Russia, which is defending its national interests and sovereignty, has been declared an enemy by the United States and its allies, which is reflected in doctrinal documents, including those adopted at the NATO summit in Madrid."

The Russian official recalled that the United States and its allies refused to engage in a constructive dialogue with Russia in the area of strategic stability and completely ignored Moscow's demands for security guarantees.

Patrushev indicated that "NATO's military infrastructure is approaching our borders, military forces and means are being actively built up on the eastern flank. Decisions have been made on the admission of Finland and Sweden to the alliance. A new military bloc, AUKUS, has been created."

The Russian Security Council secretary stressed that "These decisions and actions not only lead to an escalation of tension and destabilization of European security, but also clearly contradict the Russia-NATO Founding Act, which, by the way, continues to operate de jure."