Shoigu: Europe gripped by “revanchist and militarist sentiments”

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has stated that the main threat to the Collective Security Treaty Organization comes from NATO and the European states that are members of the alliance.

He made the statement at a meeting of the CSTO Security Council Secretaries Committee.

According to Shoigu, the countries of so-called “civilized Europe” are gripped by revanchist and militarist sentiments. He described the situation on the organization’s western borders as particularly tense, noting that the number of external challenges and threats continues to grow.

Shoigu cited the 2025 annual report of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, which recorded an increase in defense spending among alliance members. According to him, the combined defense expenditures of NATO states have exceeded $1.5 trillion.

The Security Council Secretary also focused separately on the Baltic states. According to him, despite their limited economic capabilities, they are allocating around 4% of their GDP to defense. Shoigu also stated that public calls for an attack on the Kaliningrad region have been heard from the Baltic states.