Russian Satellite News Agency, Moscow, February 2. Sergei Naryshkin, head of the Russian Federal Foreign Intelligence Service, told Sputnik News Agency that the United States needs to pay more and more to maintain the unity of skeptical NATO members and to deal with Russia in a unified and strong manner. The more you try, the sooner Washington will toughen it into submission.
Naryshkin said: “It should be said that in order for NATO members to be consistent in their strong confrontation with Russia, the Americans need to pay more and more efforts.”
He said: “We have clearly seen that as soon as an ally expresses doubts, the doubters are immediately brought into submission by a strong hand. For example, German Chancellor Scholz tried to express doubts and to some extent stray away from strengthening Germany. The same is true when Russia confronts its stance.”
Earlier, the German government announced under pressure from NATO allies that it would deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other countries to supply German tanks. Germany plans to supply 14 Leopard 2 tanks of the A6 type from the inventory of the Wehrmacht in the first phase.
Shortly before the decision to supply Ukraine with tanks, German Chancellor Scholz said Berlin’s decision to take such a step depended on whether its partners, represented by Washington and NATO allies, would do the same. But the first to publicly announce the decision to provide tanks was the German government, before US President Joe Biden made a similar statement.
Russia has previously sent notes to all countries, including the United States, on the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov pointed out that any material containing Ukrainian weapons will become a legitimate target of Russia. Russia’s foreign ministry said NATO countries were “playing with fire” by supplying weapons to Ukraine. Russian President’s Press Secretary Peskov pointed out that the transfer of weapons from the West to Ukraine will not help the success of the Russia-Ukraine negotiations and will have negative effects.

Sputniknews

Tags：NATO members、Russia