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Kremlin: NATO plans will cost European taxpayers! We are ready for a prisoner exchange with Ukraine
2025-06-09 16:22:32 / BOTA
The Kremlin said today that NATO's plan to boost its air and missile defense capabilities is aggressive and will come at the expense of European taxpayers, who are being asked to pay for neutralizing a threat that, according to it, does not exist.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is urging member countries to increase defense spending to 3.5% of their GDP, is expected to call for a 400% increase in the Alliance's air and missile capabilities in a speech in London today.
Responding to a question about Rutte's expected statements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "(NATO) is not a tool for maintaining stability and security on the continent. It is a tool created for confrontation and until now it has hidden its true character. Now it is showing its true character."
Peskov said that those who will suffer are European taxpayers.
"European taxpayers will spend their money to neutralize a threat that they say comes from our country, but it is nothing more than a temporary threat," Peskov said.
The Kremlin spokesman also said that Russia plans to increase cooperation with African countries, including in "sensitive areas" such as defense and security.
The Russian mercenary group Wagner said last week it was leaving Mali after helping the military junta there fight Islamist militants. But the Afrika Korps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force, said it would stay in the West African country.
Responding to a question about what this means for Russia's role in Africa, Dmitry Peskov said: "The Russian presence in Africa is growing. We really intend to comprehensively develop our interaction with African countries, focusing primarily on economic and investment interaction."
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NATO chief calls for 400% boost in air defense
June 9, 15:58 -
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