"The joint drills of NATO armed forces in Europe called Steadfast Defender 2024, during which the scenario of armed confrontation with Russia is being worked out, will certainly increase tensions and destabilize the situation in the world," Patrushev said during a meeting on security in North Caucasus.
NATO plans to increase its presence in the Arctic and Asia-Pacific, Patrushev added.
"Over the 75 years of its existence, NATO, as a supposed guarantor of peace and democracy, has started more than a hundred wars and military conflicts around the world — and is preparing for new ones," Patrushev said.
In addition, Moscow requested an immediate halt to NATO's expansion towards Russia's borders, emphasizing the importance of abstaining from inviting post-Soviet countries into the bloc or deploying military infrastructure on their territories.