Russia accused NATO on Monday of risking dangerous escalation after the alliance’s highest-ranking military officer suggested that a “pre-emptive strike” could be considered a form of defensive action in response to hybrid threats from Moscow.

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone told the Financial Times that NATO is examining ways to strengthen its response to what it views as increasingly aggressive hybrid warfare tactics. He said a pre-emptive strike might be an option under certain circumstances, characterizing it as a defensive measure.

The comments drew immediate condemnation from Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the remarks “an extremely irresponsible step” that signaled NATO’s willingness to push tensions further.

“We see in it a deliberate attempt to undermine efforts to overcome the Ukrainian crisis,” Zakharova said. She warned that those making such statements “should be aware of the risks and possible consequences, including for the alliance members themselves.”

The exchange comes as NATO prepares for its summit in The Hague in June 2025, where member states are expected to discuss security challenges posed by hybrid warfare, cyberattacks and disinformation. Russia, meanwhile, has repeatedly accused the alliance of using such narratives to justify what it sees as aggressive military posturing near its borders.