Volodin stated that NATO’s plan “amounts to a declaration of war” and accused the alliance of escalating tensions under the guise of deterrence. Zakharova warned that such deployments would be met with an “asymmetric response,” adding that Russia retains the right to use all available means to ensure its national security. “We are dealing with the militarization of Russia’s borders,” she said, accusing the West of using the Baltics as “cannon fodder.”

Russian lawmakers also warned that the pre-positioning of NATO military infrastructure would eliminate any remaining buffer and increase the risk of miscalculation. Moscow's concerns come as NATO expands joint exercises and air defense coverage in the Baltic Sea region, citing increased threats from Russia’s own military posture.

NATO Justifies Moves As Defensive, Russia Sees Encirclement

NATO officials maintain that the updated defense strategy is purely defensive and aimed at deterring further Russian aggression, especially following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and its activities in Belarus. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO remains committed to collective defense but has no intention of attacking Russia.

Nonetheless, Kremlin officials argue that NATO’s posture has shifted from containment to encirclement, citing the recent inclusion of Finland and Sweden in the alliance and the expansion of missile defense systems in Eastern Europe.

The escalation in rhetoric reflects rising geopolitical tensions along Europe’s eastern flank, with both NATO and Russia framing their actions as necessary for national and regional security. Analysts warn that further deployments or incidents near the border could deepen the standoff and increase the risk of unintended conflict.