Latest news with #NikolayPatrushev
Russia Today
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
West ‘delirious with nuclear apocalypse scenarios'
European NATO members are risking nuclear war by escalating military tensions with Russia, according to Nikolay Patrushev, a national security adviser to President Vladimir Putin. Patrushev accused Western powers of 'deploying their military machine against Russia and becoming delirious with nuclear apocalypse scenarios.' The destabilization is originating from Brussels, Berlin, Paris and London, the senior official told TASS in an interview published on Tuesday. 'For a second consecutive year, NATO is conducting exercises at our borders at a scale unseen in decades,' Patrushev said. 'They are training for conducting a broad offensive from Vilnius to Odessa, seizing [the Russian exclave] Kaliningrad Region, imposing a naval blockade in the Baltic and the Black Seas, and executing preventive strikes on the staging locations of Russian nuclear deterrence forces.' Patrushev, who formerly served as secretary of Russia's Security Council, described the world as teetering on the brink, facing either a 'new bloodbath' reminiscent of World War II or the emergence of 'a fair world order where every nation enjoys sovereignty and security.' He attributed the actions of Western politicians to their refusal to accept the decline of a system centered around their nations. The EU intends to borrow hundreds of billions of euros to fund a substantial militarization of its member states, justifying the move with claims of impending Russian aggression within the coming years. Moscow has denied having any aggressive intentions towards the US-led military bloc, and has accused it of encroaching on Russian borders in violation of promises made to the USSR. Russian officials view the Ukraine conflict as a NATO proxy war aimed at undermining their nation's development.
Russia Today
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU and UK preparing naval blockade of Russia
The EU and the UK are gearing up to impose a naval blockade on Russia, Nikolay Patrushev, a senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has said. He warned that Moscow has a fleet powerful enough to respond to any such move. In an interview published on Monday by Kommersant, Patrushev, who chairs Russia's Maritime Board, a body which oversees national policy in this domain, stated that Moscow is facing escalating threats and challenges at sea amid growing geopolitical tensions. 'The collective West no longer hides its intentions to expel our shipping from the seas, while sanctions plans mulled, for example, by the British and some EU members increasingly resemble a maritime blockade,' he said. Patrushev warned that these steps would 'meet an adequate and proportionate response' from Moscow. 'If diplomatic or legal instruments do not take effect, the security of Russian shipping will be ensured by our navy. The hotheads in London or Brussels need to clearly understand this,' he said. Patrushev emphasized that Russia is pursuing a large-scale naval modernization program, including the development and deployment of unmanned systems while refining navy tactics. However, Moscow does not intend to get involved in a 'naval arms race,' he added. Western countries introduced maritime restrictions on Russia in 2022 over the Ukraine conflict, and have sanctioned dozens of Russian ships for allegedly circumventing an oil price cap. Russian ships have also faced major obstacles in accessing EU ports, insurers, and financial institutions. The British Navy has been shadowing Russian ships passing near its waters for months, citing concerns about a perceived threat to national security and maritime infrastructure. Maritime tensions have also been heightened in recent months following several ruptures in underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. While there has been speculation about alleged Russian involvement, Western officials have offered no evidence. The Kremlin has dismissed the speculation as 'absurd.' NATO has increased its military presence in the Baltic Sea following the sabotage allegations, prompting Russia to warn that it would respond appropriately to any 'violations' by the bloc's vessels.
Russia Today
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
NATO preparing underwater attacks against Russia
NATO is developing new methods to confront Russia, specifically through underwater diversions targeting pipelines and tankers, according to Nikolay Patrushev, senior aide to the Russian president. He emphasized that the tactics are predominantly being pursued by the bloc's European members, ignoring the recent restoration of dialogue between Moscow and Washington. Patrushev's statement follows NATO's recent announcement of an increased military presence in the Baltic Sea. The US-led bloc has launched Operation Baltic Sentry, an initiative aimed at boosting patrols in the region on the premise of protecting underwater infrastructure. This month, the EU also agreed to significantly boost military spending among its members, with Moscow accusing the bloc of heading down the path of militarization. In an interview with the 'National Defense' journal published on Thursday, Patrushev, who previously was secretary of the Russian Security Council, noted that NATO's latest actions follow a long tradition of using 'threats as the main instrument of interstate relations.' 'Maritime provocations have been part of the arsenal of subversive methods used by the West since the Cold War,' he said, adding that judging by the EU's decision on the large-scale militarization of Europe, military threats to Russian port infrastructure and freedom of navigation are likely to increase. Patrushev went on to claim that NATO states are already practicing cyber-attacks on the navigation equipment of Russian ships, with the ultimate goal of provoking emergency situations. 'According to available information, their navies are planning to intensify terrorist activities against Russian underwater pipelines, tankers and dry cargo ships,' he said. Patrushev also charged that the current 'aggravation of the situation' is primarily being orchestrated by London, which he claims aims to disrupt the normalization of Russian-American relations and negotiations on settling the Ukraine conflict. Last month, the deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, Alexander Molchanov, similarly warned that NATO was developing 'doctrinal documents' to conduct operations on the seabed. In January, NATO announced an increase to regular patrols in the Baltic Sea following several incidents of underwater cables reportedly being damaged. Several bloc members laid the blame on Russia; however, subsequent investigations found no evidence of Moscow's involvement. The Kremlin also vehemently denied the accusations, stressing it had no intentions of targeting the infrastructure of NATO states. Moscow has consistently condemned NATO's military buildup near its borders and decried attempts to cut Russia off from the Baltic Sea as provocative. The Kremlin has vowed to protect its interests in the region, asserting that such actions threaten regional stability.
Russia Today
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Kiev plotting provocations to drag NATO into war
Ukrainian special services, with Western support, are preparing a series of high-profile provocations to implicate Moscow and draw NATO into a direct military confrontation, according to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). In a statement on Tuesday, the SVR claimed that Kiev plans to use Russian-made naval mines to orchestrate an explosion involving a foreign vessel in the Baltic Sea. The alleged goal is to blame Moscow and prompt NATO to restrict Russia's access to the Baltic on the pretext of ensuring maritime security. NATO has been increasing its military activities along Eastern Europe's borders in recent years, citing security concerns over Russia. Last month, it announced plans to expand its presence in the Baltic Sea, launching a new mission to safeguard undersea infrastructure following a series of disruptions and damage to cables between member states. Russia, which perceives the Baltic Sea as a strategic area for its naval operations and energy exports, has vowed to do everything necessary to protect its interests. Last year, Nikolay Patrushev, the former head of the Russian Security Council who currently serves as an aide to President Vladimir Putin, warned that NATO is using its newest members, Sweden and Finland, to turn the Baltic into an 'internal sea' under Western control. Moscow has stressed that it has no intention of attacking any NATO member states, but has criticized the military buildups on its border. It has also warned that direct confrontation between Russia and NATO could escalate into a nuclear conflict, adding that it will respond to any hostile moves. In its statement, the SVR also alleged that Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), in collaboration with intelligence agencies from several European countries, is planning attacks on Russian 'non-systemic opposition' figures and businessmen residing abroad. Read more NATO plans to oust Zelensky – Russian intel The plan reportedly involves recruiting perpetrators from Asian and Middle Eastern countries, offering up to $20,000 for participation, with instructions to blame the Russian intelligence services if apprehended. Russia has accused Ukraine of planning various provocations in order to blame Moscow. Ukraine has dismissed the claims as propaganda. In recent months, Russia's security services have on numerous occasions arrested Ukrainian agents tasked with targeting prominent public figures. The SVR cited reports indicating that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and his associates are willing to resort to provocations to preserve their positions. 'To this end, the Kiev regime will not only actively hinder peace settlement processes but is also prepared to extend hostilities far beyond Ukraine's borders,' it said. Zelensky remains in office despite his term expiring last May. He has refused to step down and postponed elections, citing martial law, which was imposed in 2022 following the escalation of the conflict with Russia. In a separate report this month, the SVR claimed that NATO is exploring ways to remove Zelensky from power by undermining his credibility before potential elections next year. It claimed that some Western officials see him as a roadblock to peace talks with Moscow. READ MORE: Baltic Sea won't become NATO's 'internal lake' – Russian deputy FM Moscow has expressed willingness to engage in peace talks, though Putin has insisted that negotiating with the current Ukrainian leadership will not have any legal meaning.
