NATO’s main problem is that the alliance says it does not listen to Russia, yet also claims it does not understand it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Axar.az informs, citing TASS, “In other words, on the one hand, they say they don’t listen to Russia, and on the other, that they don’t understand it,” Peskov noted, adding that this is where the alliance’s problem — and that of its leaders — lies. “Try listening, and you’ll understand,” he said.

Peskov’s remarks came in response to comments by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said he had stopped following the activities of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rutte made the statement in the context of Putin’s meeting with the Security Council on Tuesday, during which the president discussed whether Russia should consider preparing for nuclear tests in light of U.S. actions.

Following the meeting, Putin instructed officials to conduct an analysis and present proposals. Peskov emphasized in his comments to TASS that the president did not order preparations for nuclear tests, but rather asked for an assessment of whether such preparations would be appropriate.