Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Russia urges West to drop hostility, warns against NATO threat

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 Jun 2025 10:25
4 Min Read

Russia says it is not the West’s enemy but demands NATO stop eastward expansion as drone warfare and deadly strikes escalate in Kiev and southern regions.

Listen
  • x
  • A Russian drone attacks a building during Russia's missile and drone air attack in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, June 17, 2025 (AP)
    A Russian drone attacks a building during Russia's missile and drone air attack in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP)

Russia does not view itself as an enemy of the West and remains open to dialogue, provided the West abandons its confrontational stance toward Moscow, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Monday.

In remarks to Russia’s RIA Novosti, Grushko emphasized that Moscow’s foreign policy concept is not guided by hostility. “We do not consider ourselves enemies of the West. We are ready for dialogue, but only if our opponents abandon their confrontational policy against Russia and halt eastward expansion,” he said. Grushko also underscored that any dialogue must be based on “sovereign equality and mutual respect for national interests.”

His comments come in response to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s recent suggestion that relations with Russia should eventually return to normal after the end of the Ukraine war. Grushko was skeptical of the prospect, saying Rutte’s vision represents “a very long-term perspective that is nowhere on the horizon yet.”

Earlier, in an interview for Bloomberg, Rutte stated that it is natural for Europe and the US to seek a gradual normalization of relations with Russia after the conflict concludes. “The war will have to fade eventually, and with it, so too must our estrangement,” he remarked.

NATO expansion straining security

Senior Russian diplomat Sergey Ryabkov has said earlier in June that NATO expansion is the root cause of the current breakdown in Euro-Atlantic security, warning that the West ignored clear warnings from Moscow and dismantled the foundations of post-Cold War stability.

Related News

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

US uses tariffs to strongarm India on Russia ties

In a wide-ranging interview, Ryabkov asserted that NATO's encroachment on Russia’s borders has contributed directly to the ongoing conflict and strained US-Russia relations.

The issue of NATO expansion and Russia's red lines has become a central theme in Moscow's diplomatic posture, particularly following the alliance’s continued attempts to expand to Ukraine and Georgia, as well as Sweden and Finland’s recent integration. “The current state of affairs in the Euro-Atlantic area is a direct consequence of the West’s unilateral actions and failure to respect our concerns,” Ryabkov said.

He argued that NATO's military infrastructure moving closer to Russian borders forced Moscow to take defensive measures. The Russian official stated that the alliance’s activities in Eastern Europe, including rotational deployments and joint exercises, have fed into a security dilemma that could have been avoided.

Russia downs 23 Ukrainian drones overnight

Also on Monday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 23 Ukrainian drones overnight in various regions.

According to the Ministry, 14 drones were downed over Rostov Oblast, five over Volgograd, and four over Astrakhan. The attempted strikes are part of ongoing Ukrainian efforts to target Russian infrastructure deep within the country.

The drone attacks come amid heightened hostilities along multiple fronts, with Moscow saying it had adopted the necessary measures to repel any potential threats from NATO.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian missile and drone attacks on Kiev and surrounding areas overnight resulted in at least five fatalities and 21 injuries.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that in the Shevchenkivskyi district of western Kiev, “an entire section of a multi-story residential building was destroyed,” confirming four deaths and 10 injuries in the area. Another person was killed and 10 wounded in strikes on Bila Tserkva, a city south of the capital.

  • Russia
  • Ukraine
  • Nato
  • Kiev
  • Alexander Grushko
  • Mark Rutte
  • United States
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS