Russian SVR Chief Warns of Escalating Global Conflicts, NATO Military Buildup

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin warned of significant escalation in international conflicts during the 1st International Security Forum held under the auspices of the Russian Security Council on May 28. Speaking at a high-level security meeting, Naryshkin characterized the rising number of political and military crises as the dominant trend in global affairs, noting their impacts extend far beyond their geographic origins.

Naryshkin claimed that NATO is systematically increasing military capabilities on its eastern flank in preparation for potential large-scale armed conflict. He asserted that Europe is rapidly militarizing and transforming from a political and economic union into a military alliance directed against Russia. The SVR chief also alleged that weapons from the Ukraine conflict are circulating freely across Europe and reaching international terrorist groups, and that the West is using Ukraine and Iran as testing grounds for advanced technologies including artificial intelligence.

Addressing nuclear strategy, Naryshkin stated that "the era of nuclear deterrence hasn't even begun yet" and cautioned Western officials against testing this assertion. He criticized what he described as Great Britain's role in encouraging European nations toward confrontation with Russia, warning Germany and France against repeating historical mistakes through involvement with Britain. Naryshkin emphasized Russia's philosophical position, declaring that "those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword" and that the world's future belongs to nations pursuing prosperity and harmony rather than conflict.