SHOIGU: NATO GEARING UP FOR WAR WITH RUSSIA

MOSCOW, NOVEMBER 9 /SRNA/ – Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu accused NATO of preparing for a conflict with Russia, after the so-called coalition of the willing today launched a military exercise aimed at supporting Ukraine after the war.

"The exercises are not so much defensive in nature as offensive," Shoigu said.

He said the maneuvers had been organized on the pretext of an alleged threat from Russia, while NATO was deliberately moving closer to the Russian border.

Shoigu also criticized the militarization of Europe and the increase in arms spending driven by fear of an alleged Russian threat.

Russian officials have repeatedly said they will not agree to the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said such a deployment would be considered a "military intervention" aimed at deliberately creating threats to Russia's security.

About 2,800 troops from 11 countries of the so-called coalition of the willing are taking part in the maneuvers, called "Coalition 2026". The exercises are being held in the airspace over Romania and the western Black Sea. France and Britain are leading the maneuvers, which will last until November 22, Germany's DPA news agency reported.