The Russian government once again criticized NATO as the Western defence alliance celebrated its 75th anniversary, saying the United States is behind it and is using it as an "instrument of confrontation, especially on the European continent."
NATO's activities currently promote neither security nor stability in Europe, "but on the contrary are a destabilizing factor," long-time Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, according to the state-controlled Interfax agency.
"NATO was planned, configured, created and directed by the US as an instrument of confrontation," especially in Europe, he said.
Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine more than two years ago, repeatedly blames the West for its war and claims that it threatened Moscow.
As such, relations between Russia and NATO had "effectively slipped to a level of direct confrontation," Peskov said in Moscow, adding that NATO was "involved in the conflict over Ukraine."
NATO was celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding in Brussels on Thursday.
