Moscow: Russia issued a sharp rebuke on Monday after the head of NATO’s Military Committee suggested that the alliance could consider a “pre-emptive strike” in response to what it views as hostile hybrid warfare activities by Moscow. The Kremlin warned that such rhetoric was “irresponsible,” “provocative,” and capable of fueling a wider confrontation.
In a strongly worded statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized remarks made by Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the senior military official overseeing NATO’s strategic posture. Dragone, in an interview published earlier, said NATO may need to rethink its defense options including pre-emptive action in light of Russia’s alleged involvement in sabotage, cyberattacks, and other covert activities targeting member states.
Zakharova called the comments “a reckless and escalatory step,” arguing that such language signals a willingness by the alliance to abandon diplomatic restraint. She warned that by floating the idea of a pre-emptive strike, NATO was effectively inviting further instability at a time when attempts to de-escalate regional tensions remain fragile.
According to Moscow, the implication that NATO is prepared to strike first fundamentally contradicts ongoing efforts to solve the Ukraine crisis through negotiation. Russian officials stated that discussions about pre-emptive force “complicate all pathways to diplomacy” and risk justifying retaliatory moves that could place the continent on the brink of a deeper crisis.
The Kremlin further claimed that NATO’s stance fits into what it views as a pattern of escalation by the alliance, including troop deployments, military exercises, and expanding intelligence operations near Russia’s borders. Moscow insists that the West is portraying its actions as defensive while steadily increasing pressure in the region.
Admiral Dragone’s remarks stemmed from concerns within NATO over Russia’s alleged hybrid warfare operations, a blend of cyber intrusions, disinformation, sabotage, and intelligence activities affecting several European states. The alliance has signaled it may adopt a more assertive posture to deter such threats, but Monday’s remarks marked the clearest indication yet that offensive countermeasures are being openly discussed.
Russian officials rejected these accusations as baseless, saying the narrative is being used to justify NATO’s growing military footprint. Moscow argued that presenting pre-emptive strikes as a defensive necessity creates a dangerous precedent that could normalize first-use military strategies.
The exchange adds new tension to a region already unsettled by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, repeated cyber incidents, and diplomatic standoffs. Security analysts warn that even discussing pre-emptive options increases the risk of miscalculation, especially at a time when mistrust between Russia and NATO is at its highest level in decades.
European governments have yet to respond formally, but several diplomatic observers say they expect renewed debates about deterrence, military readiness, and crisis management within the alliance. The controversy may also draw reactions from countries that fear becoming flashpoints in any future NATO-Russia confrontation.
While the remarks do not indicate an immediate policy shift, they highlight the extent to which NATO leaders are reassessing their strategy amid continuing friction with Moscow. Russia, for its part, has vowed to respond “firmly and proportionately” to any perceived threats, raising concerns of further escalation if tensions continue unchecked.
With both sides trading warnings and sharpening their rhetoric, international mediators fear the latest dispute could close off crucial avenues for diplomacy precisely when they are needed most.