Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko accused the European Union and NATO of deliberately creating conditions for a potential armed conflict with Russia, speaking in Moscow on Monday. Grushko said the West’s military build-up, defence reforms and increased spending were aimed at preparing society for confrontation, adding that Russia would take all necessary measures to fully guarantee its security and defence capability. He also warned Moscow would take reciprocal steps in response to EU restrictions on the movement of Russian diplomats, approved under the bloc’s latest sanctions package. Several EU and NATO states have sharply increased defence budgets, fuelling debate over a shift toward a “war economy.”