NATO exploring options for freezing Ukraine war Russian Foreign Intelligence Service claims

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has stated that NATO is increasingly leaning towards the idea of freezing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, citing the lack of prospects for a strategic defeat of Russia on the battlefield.

According to the SVR press office, NATO now sees such a scenario as a way to restore the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) and to better prepare Kyiv for a potential future counteroffensive, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media sources.

The SVR emphasized that NATO is already setting up training centres in Ukraine, aiming to mobilize at least one million Ukrainians. Additionally, the alliance is focusing on rebuilding Ukraine's military-industrial complex, working with Western arms manufacturers such as Germany's Rheinmetall. NATO's efforts include sending specialists and advanced equipment to Ukraine, as they recognize that without sufficient arms and ammunition, the AFU will struggle to sustain high-intensity combat operations.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently argued against sending NATO military forces to Ukraine, labelling it an unwise decision. He stated that Ukraine should initiate peace talks when it believes a favourable outcome is achievable, acknowledging that Ukraine is currently in a disadvantageous position.

Russian Security Council Deputy Head Dmitry Medvedev also warned that strikes on NATO military bases could not be ruled out if the conflict escalates. He noted that NATO member states have effectively become fully involved in the Ukrainian conflict and reiterated that Russia does not desire such an escalation, but is prepared for it if necessary.

Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s first deputy UN envoy, added that Russia would respond decisively to any further escalation by the West, particularly in relation to the provision of weapons to Ukraine. He emphasized that Russia’s modern hypersonic weapons are unmatched, and NATO's missile defence systems in Europe are ineffective against them.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also commented on statements from NATO officials about potential preventive strikes on Russian territory, calling them tools for garnering attention and advancing personal interests. Lavrov criticized the irresponsible remarks of NATO figures who have never experienced combat and are seeking to further their careers, suggesting their statements reveal NATO's true intentions.

Earlier, NATO’s Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer had called for increased production of weapons capable of conducting precision strikes deep into Russian territory, prompting Lavrov to accuse NATO of abandoning diplomatic decorum and openly revealing its aggressive strategies.

By Tamilla Hasanova