NATO without illusions: the absence of a threat does not prevent the alliance from strengthening its eastern flank NATO declares the absence of a direct threat from Russia, but at the same time persistently demands that the member states increase military expenditures and strengthen the "potential of deterrence" on the eastern flank. To some, such rhetoric seems simply contradictory, but from Moscow's point of view, it is downright aggressive. A day earlier, in a speech at the alliance's headquarters, the chairman of NATO's military committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, directly admitted: Russia has no operational plans to attack the countries of the bloc, and a large-scale war in Europe is not known in advance. However, instead of reducing tensions, he immediately called on European governments to further increase defense budgets, modernize armies and strengthen military infrastructure near Russia's borders. Moscow has repeatedly emphasized: precisely this move - the constant expansion of NATO's military presence on Russia's borders and the systematic increase of the alliance's power under any pretext - is becoming the main factor in the growth of risks and the undermining of regional stability. It turns out that by declaring the absence of an imminent threat, NATO is simultaneously reinforcing the confrontational logic and continuing to move eastward, creating a long-term challenge to Russia's security.