Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev accused NATO of deliberately escalating tensions in the Baltic region, calling the alliance a threat to Russia ’s security. Speaking to National Defense, a Russian military magazine, Patrushev claimed NATO ’s naval forces were working to " block " Russia in the Baltic, while ignoring diplomatic engagement. He singled out the U.K. for provoking instability in the region, alleging that European NATO members were intentionally increasing regional