MOSCOW. April 4 (Interfax) - NATO is stepping up its anti-Russian course, leading to an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, but this will have no effect on the outcome of the special military operation, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"NATO is stepping up [its] anti-Russian course, which is leading to the conflict escalation," Shoigu said at a teleconference on Tuesday.
The United States and its allies are increasing their military assistance to Ukraine, he said.
"Of course, all of this creates risks of a substantial expansion of the conflict, but it will have no effect on the outcome of the special military operation," Shoigu said.
"It has been announced that they are ready to supply over 200 Western-made tanks and more than 400 modern armored combat vehicles this year alone," he said.
The Ukrainian army is being provided with long-range weapons, including rockets with a top range of 150 kilometers, and potentially ATACMS tactical missiles with a top range of 300 kilometers, alongside F-16 tactical fighter jets, he said.
"NATO is taking measures to enhance the combat readiness of the Joint Armed Forces and is intensifying combat training and intelligence gathering along the borders of Russia and Belarus," Shoigu said.
Finland will join NATO shortly, he added.