Russian President Vladimir Putin told hundreds of the country's newest army officers on Tuesday that the West, led by NATO, is actively preparing for war against Russia.
Putin told graduates of Russian military academies gathered at the Kremlin in Moscow that members of the Western alliance had until now confined themselves to supporting Ukraine.
He added that there is now open talk in the West "that they are preparing for war against us and are increasing their military and offensive budgets."
According to the official text of his speech, Putin said that NATO and European Union member states are using false claims about the existence of a military threat from Russia to justify this militarisation.
Currently, nearly 40% of Russia's budget expenditure goes to the military, armaments and security.
Nevertheless, according to Putin, Moscow supports a multipolar system of international relations that guarantees the military security of every state.
The 73-year-old leader warned: "At the same time, we are prepared to respond operationally and appropriately to all external and internal threats."
Russia launched a war against neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022, prompting EU and NATO member states to respond by providing broad military, financial and political support to Kyiv.
With no end to the war in sight, those same countries have grown increasingly concerned about their own security vulnerabilities and are now working to increase their military capabilities in the event of a conflict.