MOSCOW. April 9 (Interfax) - The United States and its allies are seeking to inflict a strategic military, economic, political, and spiritual defeat on Russia, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said on Tuesday.
"The U.S. and its allies have flatly refused to acknowledge Russia's fundamental national security interests and are doing all they can now to inflict a strategic defeat on our country, both on the battlefield and in other areas," Patrushev said at a plenary session of the Security Council's Scientific Council.
Therefore, not only has the special military operation come as a substantial test for Russia as concerns its military development, he said.
"Our economy, our political system, and definitely, our spiritual and moral values are undergoing a stamina test," he said.
Patrushev said he saw a host of challenges and threats to Russia's continued development, including those emanating directly from its geopolitical opponents, which do not want to see Russia as a strong and independent state.