Russian President's spokesman Dmitri Peskov called NATO's assessment of Russia as a "long-term threat" to Euro-Atlantic security an aggressive move against Moscow.
According to Peskov, the Alliance's position compels Russia to defend its national interests more firmly, strengthen its security capabilities, and accelerate the country's technological and economic development.
"NATO's such approach forces us to be stronger, to reliably protect the interests of our state"
He also noted that NATO, since its inception, has functioned as a confrontation tool first against the Soviet Union and then against Russia, and claimed that this approach has not changed in the Alliance's policy.
Recall that NATO leaders characterized Russia as a "long-term threat" to Euro-Atlantic security in the final communiqué of the summit. The document emphasized that Russia's military activities and security policy are among the main challenges for the Alliance.