RUSSIA, Oct. 21 -- Western Europe is actively preparing for a conflict with Russia as it is struggling to accept the end of the unipolar world order, the head of Russias Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin, has said.

Countries across the EU have increased military spending since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, agreeing to allocate €800 billion ($937 billion) for defense purposes by 2030 as part of a bloc-wide plan.

Some of the blocs politicians have also increasingly spoken of a “Russian threat.” Moscow has denied harboring any aggressive intentions towards NATO states on the continent, but has warned of a harsh response if attacked.

Speaking at a summit in the Uzbek city of ...