Shoigu Says Europe Uses Russian Threat Narrative
Russia's Security Council secretary accused European leaders of militarizing by invoking a Russian threat while facing record-low approval ratings at home.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in International Relations
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said Europe uses the 'Russian threat' narrative to justify militarization. He spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the 14th annual meeting of security council secretaries of CIS member states.
Why it matters
Shoigu's remarks reflect Moscow's position that European rearmament is driven by politics rather than an actual threat, and that Russia has no intention of attacking Europe. Their timing alongside claims of record-low Western approval ratings signals Moscow's effort to frame European leaders' domestic troubles as the underlying motive.
The statements come from an official Russian security figure at a regional CIS forum, not from an independent measurement. Specific approval-rating numbers for the leaders Shoigu referenced were not included, leaving his claim of record-low ratings unquantified.
The players
Sergey Shoigu
Sergey Shoigu is the Secretary of Russia's Security Council, a senior national security official who has long been a prominent figure in Russian government.
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia, who has stated that Moscow has no intention of attacking Europe or anyone else.
Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron is the President of France and a leading voice in European security debates.
The details
Shoigu made the remarks to reporters on the sidelines of the CIS security council secretaries meeting, where he also advised Western leaders to address domestic issues. The statements followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertion that Moscow has no intention of attacking Europe or anyone else.
Timeline
November 9, 2026: Shoigu made the statements to reporters at the CIS security council secretaries meeting.
Big Picture
Shoigu's claim reverses the long-running Kremlin framing that NATO expansion threatens Russia, now accusing European governments of manufacturing the Russian threat to justify their own militarization. The exchange reflects how Moscow and European capitals continue to contest the origins of rising defense spending across the continent.
For readers, the dispute signals that European defense spending and Russian security rhetoric remain contested, which can shape debates over national budgets and alliance commitments. The competing claims mean official statements from Moscow and European governments should be weighed against each other rather than accepted at face value.
The takeaway
Official statements on European militarization often reflect competing political narratives, so checking claims against published defense budgets and security documents helps readers form their own view. Tracking both Moscow's and European governments' stated positions over time reveals which claims are supported by evidence.
Further reading
Explore more on International Relations to see how these security claims fit into broader diplomatic tensions.
