Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces General of the Army Valery Gerasimov assessed prospects of the European security

Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces General of the Army Valery Gerasimov gave a speech at the VI Moscow Conference on International Security. According to Valery Gerasimov, Europe is gradually turning from the most stable and peaceful region to the zone of tensions and confrontations. As he stressed, this situation was caused by several factors. 

First and foremost factor is deterioration of relationship between Russia and the NATO. The relationship has been on the lowest level since the end of the Cold War. 

Chief of the Russian General Staff paid special attention to deployment of the United States national missile defence in Europe. “Certainly, we have been taking necessary measures to counter this threat. However, the thing is: Europe does not become safer because of deployment of the missile defence elements,” stressed Valery Gerasimov. 

 According to Valery Gerasimov, another destabilizing factor of the situation is unsettled conflicts. He stated that armed conflict in the east of Ukraine had the most negative influence on the situation in Europe. 

Chief of the Russian General Staff stressed that the conflict could be solved only in the political way. However, European countries continued providing military assistance to the Kiev regime and provoking it to continue the war. “There are no conditions to turn the tide of these factors,” stated Valery Gerasimov and informed the Conference participants about possible pathways. First one is pessimistic. 

Current tensions, particularly between Russia and the NATO, will continue progressing. Russia will have to give appropriate response to the situation as well as take necessary deterrence measures. Challenges and threats common for the West and Russia will remain unsolved. As a result, European security will be aggravated. Second pathway is optimistic. The West and Russia will understand interests and concerns of each other, establish a dialogue, mutual confidence, transparency and pragmatic relations. 

 The head of the Russian General Staff is confident that the second pathway will allow to raise the security and stability level in Europe.