Russia criticizes first military exercise by the “Coalition of the Willing”

As expected, the military maneuver planned by the “Coalition of the Willing” to support Ukraine has met with sharp criticism in Russia. Moscow Secretary of the National Security Council Sergei Shoigu accused the West of preparing for war with Russia.

“The exercises are less of a defensive nature and more of an offensive nature,” Shoigu said, according to the Interfax agency, on the sidelines of a meeting of representatives of the national security councils of ex-Soviet republics in Moscow.

Around 2,800 soldiers from eleven countries, including Germany, are taking part in the first military maneuver of the “Coalition of the Willing” to support Ukraine. The exercise, called “Koalicja 2026” (Coalition 2026) in Poland, in the airspace over Romania and in the western Black Sea, is scheduled to start later today and last until November 22nd. With the participation of the Bundeswehr, the aim is to test how lasting peace could be secured after the end of the Ukraine war.

Russia had always emphasized that it would not agree to the stationing of troops from NATO countries in Ukraine. Rather, troops would be seen as a military target and further escalation in the war. Shoigu complained that the maneuvers were being organized under the pretext of an alleged threat from Russia. NATO is moving further and further east, near the Russian border.

Shoigu once again criticized the militarization of Europe and ever-increasing defense spending. The Europeans are being frightened by a Russian threat. "This undoubtedly serves to distract from everything that is happening in the countries, from the negative developments that are being observed in Europe - in France, Germany and Poland," he said. Shoigu accused Ukraine and the West of having no interest in peace with Russia.

The “Coalition of the Willing” sees itself as a defender of Ukraine’s interests in its defensive fight against Russian aggression. Germany is currently Ukraine's largest supporter. Kiev has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression for more than four and a half years with billions in aid and arms deliveries from the West.

Shoigu was Defense Minister in Moscow from 2012 to 2024, at the time of the Russian invasion. Long before the invasion began, he had criticized the fact that NATO member states repeatedly held military maneuvers in Ukraine. Russia cites Ukraine's desire to join NATO as a reason for the war.