Putin tells Russian military graduates: NATO and the West are preparing for war against our country

During a speech delivered on Monday in Moscow before hundreds of newly graduated military academy cadets, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the West, under NATO’s leadership, is getting ready for war against Russia.

According to him, the alliance’s countries have so far limited themselves to supporting Ukraine. But now, the Russian president added, people in the West are openly saying that they “are preparing for war against us and are increasing their military spending.”

“In this context, they are citing false claims about an alleged military threat from Russia,” Putin said.

He also underlined that Russia is prepared to respond to any danger. “We are ready to respond promptly and appropriately to any kind of threat,” the president of the Russian Federation stressed.

At present, nearly 40% of Russia’s budget goes to defense and security spending, as well as to financing military operations in Ukraine.

Since the launch of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the member states of the European Union and NATO have supported Kyiv with extensive military and economic aid.

As the end of the war still does not appear to be on the horizon, concern has grown in some Western countries over the possibility of a confrontation with Russia, which has also led to increased defense spending.