Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned that NATO's plans to deploy new weapons in the Asia-Pacific pose a threat to Russia and increase the likelihood of conflict in the region.
Putin made the warning while observing the Pacific Fleet's military drills on Russia's far eastern Sakhalin Island on board a missile cruiser Varyag where he received a report from Commander of the Pacific Fleet Viktor Liina on that day.
"NATO is seeking to gain a foothold here and new military and political blocs are being formed. There are efforts and plans to deploy new weapons systems here, which creates threats for our country. There is growing tension in the neighboring Arctic zone, as has been mentioned already, which relates to operating the Northern Sea Route," he said.
Regarding the regional changes, the Russian president noted that Japan has classified Russia as a source of major threats for the first time.
He assured that Russia does not have any claims against Japan.
"Moreover, it is the first time that Japan has ranked Russia among the main threat sources in its latest military doctrines. I would like to note that we have not threatened Japan in any way. We do not have any claims. It is Japan which has territorial claims against our country -- I am referring to the issue concerning the Kuril Islands. However, this was enshrined in international documents as a post-WWII reality," Putin said.
Russia and Japan have not signed a post-World War II peace treaty due to their rival claims to four Pacific islands, called the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan.
According to official NATO statements, security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is seen as increasingly linked, especially since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. This prompted Japan and NATO to enhance collaboration through the Individually Tailored Partnership Program. Japan has also established a Diplomatic Mission to NATO in January 2025.
In late June, the U.S. Typhon mid-range missile system was temporarily deployed to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kanoya Air Base in Kagoshima Prefecture for the U.S.-hosted Valiant Shield 2026 military exercises. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, Japan has also been contributing to NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine.
Putin says NATO, Japan's moves pose security threat
