Western Europe ‘preparing for conflict’ with Russia – spy chief

Western Europe is actively preparing for a conflict with Russia as it is struggling to accept the end of the unipolar world order, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin, has said.

Countries across the EU have increased military spending since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, agreeing to allocate €800 billion ($937 billion) for defense purposes by 2030 as part of a bloc-wide plan.

Some of the bloc’s politicians have also increasingly spoken of a “Russian threat.” Moscow has denied harboring any aggressive intentions towards NATO states on the continent, but has warned of a harsh response if attacked.

Speaking at a summit in the Uzbek city of Samarkand on Monday, Naryshkin stressed that everything must be done to ensure that the switch to a multipolar world order “occurs without a major war as has happened in previous historical periods.”

He added that Western Europe is struggling to adapt to the new reality, and that the only solution that leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, or top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas can come up with is “Russophobia and an accelerated buildup of European military potential with an emphasis on a large-scale armed conflict with Russia.”

According to the SVR chief, Moscow views actions by the EU and UK as preparations for war, including the push to re-equip NATO’s forces on the continent, attempts to boost military production, and the continued brainwashing of the population with anti-Russian propaganda.

Western European capitals are experiencing difficulties with finding enough recruits in proper mental and physical condition for their armed forces amid “widespread apathy and dissatisfaction with the ruling elites, especially among young people,” Naryshkin said.

“There is also no confidence in Brussels, Paris, and Berlin that Washington will fulfill its obligations [on collective defense in NATO] under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty if a war breaks out with Russia,” Naryshkin stressed. The EU understands that without US involvement, any hopes of achieving strategic superiority over Moscow are “illusory,” he added.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday that Western Europe is “doing everything” to escalate the Ukraine conflict, accusing “non-professionals” leading EU countries of having no understanding of the consequences of their actions.