Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has reiterated his criticism of NATO’s eastward expansion, arguing that Western countries have failed to take Russia’s security concerns into account.
In an interview with the Russian newspaper Vedomosti, Medvedev said Russia does not expect Western countries to accept Moscow’s perspective but wants them to understand why Russia views NATO expansion as a security concern.
“Why Should We Be Happy About NATO Moving Closer?”
Medvedev explained his position by referring to the potential reduction in missile flight times as NATO infrastructure moves closer to Russia.
He said:
“I’m not talking about why this conflict started. I don’t expect them to accept the Russian point of view. I simply want them to assess what is happening. Why do we have these kinds of concerns? Why don’t we like this or that state joining NATO?
It’s a very simple thing: ‘Our missiles are aimed at your cities, and your missiles are aimed at our cities. But as you move closer to us, the flight time gets shorter and shorter. Why should we be happy about NATO moving closer?’ Everyone understands this, but they simply do not care about our position.”
Medvedev Warns of Increased Security Risks
During his remarks, Medvedev emphasized that NATO’s approach toward Russia’s borders increases what Moscow considers to be security risks.
His comments reiterate Russia’s long-standing argument that NATO expansion poses a threat to Russian national security. NATO and its member states, however, have repeatedly rejected Moscow’s characterization of the alliance as a threat and maintain that NATO is a defensive alliance.
The remarks were published alongside a video by the Clash Report account on September 10, 2026.