By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, declared that NATO is “at war with Russia” over Ukraine, despite NATO not directly entering the war. This statement follows Poland’s shooting down of Russian drones, prompting the invocation of NATO’s Article 4, which triggered consultations among allies but no military response. Simultaneously, Romania scrambled fighter jets after a Russian drone breached its airspace, and both the UK and Romanian governments summoned Russian ambassadors in protest of the actions. Lithuania and Poland have deployed extra troops along their borders due to joint military drills between Belarus and Russia, further escalating tensions.
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NATO at War With Russia, Kremlin Says, and that is what the Kremlin is apparently saying yet again. It’s almost become a recurring theme, hasn’t it? The claim, often repeated, is that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is somehow already engaged in a conflict with Russia. This is a headline grabber, for sure, but it’s important to step back and analyze what’s really going on, because the situation is far more nuanced than a simple declaration of war would suggest.
If we are talking about war, let’s be clear: a war with NATO would be a vastly different beast from the current conflict in Ukraine. Let’s not forget that NATO is a defensive alliance. The implication is that if you start a war with them, you threw the first punch, and they’re going to respond. And with all of NATO’s combined military might, Russia would be severely outmatched. We are not talking about a fair fight here. Many comments mention how the war would already be over if NATO were actually directly involved.
And it has been observed how Russia has been saying this for years. This declaration is used in a way to justify their actions and the fact that they are struggling in Ukraine. Essentially, it allows Russia to save face by claiming that the reason they aren’t having an easy time in Ukraine is because they are up against the combined military might of the entire Western world. This conveniently allows them to frame the narrative to the Russian population: “It’s not Ukraine we’re fighting, it’s all of NATO!”
The implications of such statements are obviously quite serious. If Russia genuinely believed that NATO was at war with them, one would expect a radically different response. We should expect decisive action. We’re not talking about drones flying into Polish airspace. And that’s where the credibility of these claims starts to unravel. If Russia’s claim were true, we wouldn’t be having conversations about the conflict. They’d be looking at all kinds of territories being occupied. Russia’s military capabilities are far below what would be required to even have a chance against NATO.
The reality is that NATO is primarily providing support to Ukraine, not boots on the ground, or direct military engagement. This support, which includes military equipment and intelligence, is certainly a factor in Russia’s struggles in Ukraine, but it does not, in any way, equate to a direct war.
There is the added element of nuclear threats, which is a scary thought. But these threats need to be considered carefully. Russia understands that a full-blown war with NATO would result in mutual destruction, and it seems they don’t have the air defense to protect themselves.
Many have pointed out the absurdity of the situation. They’ve said the same things, so often. The constant repetition of these claims starts to feel like propaganda. This narrative is designed to manipulate the domestic population, pushing the idea of an existential threat and selling the war to the masses. There is an argument that the Kremlin is manufacturing a reason to explain its military performance in Ukraine. If Russia is struggling, blame NATO.
Furthermore, it is being said that Russia has been using this statement as a way of trying to get China more involved. It is a play for any ally it can get. This all points to a clear strategy.
Finally, we must acknowledge that this narrative is being presented in a specific context. The official comments come from state-run media outlets, so the information is heavily influenced by the Russian government. Critical thinking is important, and it’s essential to examine the information with a critical eye, verify sources, and question the claims made. Otherwise, the claims fall apart. NATO isn’t in the picture.