Russian diplomats say the US is pushing NATO into the 'most disadvantageous' confrontation

Lan Ha• DNUM_BBZAHZCACD 11:29

(Baonghean.vn) - Russian diplomats believe that the US is pushing NATO into the "most disadvantageous" confrontation with Moscow through decisions expected from the alliance's summit in Lithuania this week, while Kiev's allies are "losing" in Ukraine.

On the Telegram channel of the Russian Embassy in the US, Ambassador Anatoly Antonov accused the US of preparing anti-Russian decisions at the NATO summit. He stressed: "Everything is being done to prepare public opinion for the approval of any anti-Russian decisions that will be made in Vilnius in the coming days. The situation continues to take the most unfavorable direction in the confrontation between Russia and NATO members."

anh 1.jpg — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg concludes a press conference ahead of the NATO summit. Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile, Konstantin Gavrilov, a Vienna-based Russian diplomat and senior Russian security negotiator, told state news agency RIA that the West was "losing" in Ukraine.

The NATO summit, which took place on July 11-12 in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, was attended by about 2,400 guests, including 40 heads of state and government from 48 delegations. The agenda of the summit focused on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Kiev's request to join NATO and increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP.

In the run-up to the summit, Kiev officials and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on NATO to make concrete commitments to its membership prospects after the military conflict with Russia ends. Zelensky is expected to attend the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on July 12.

Defense spending will also be on the agenda at this year’s NATO summit. In 2014, member states pledged to increase defense spending to 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) by 2024. However, only 11 countries are expected to reach that target this year.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wants this 2% rate to become a floor, not a ceiling.

Also at the summit, NATO heads of state and government will approve three new regional defense and deterrence plans for the allied territory in Vilnius. The summit is expected to propose placing 300,000 troops on high alert and ensuring naval and air resources.

The July 12 meeting will be open to leaders of Indo-Pacific partner countries such as Australia, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand and representatives of the European Union (EU)./.