Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu pointed out that NATO's proximity to Russia's borders has created additional threats to Russian military security, justifying Russia's lack of trust in the West, which had pledged not to approach its borders. Shoigu stated, "The alliance's forces have come too close to Russian borders and created additional threats to Russian military security. I assure you that it is not us but them who have approached us, and this once again shows that we cannot trust the Westerners who have begun to scare us with Russia, claiming that if it is not stopped in Ukraine, it will attack the alliance's countries."
He emphasized that Russia "adheres to a policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries," noting that "after the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO continues to expand eastward, despite the promises made to Russia not to expand eastward, having executed six rounds of expansion closer to Russia." NATO continues to expand eastward, with neighboring Finland and Sweden joining the alliance, which is engaged in military maneuvers near the Russian borders.
