Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has reported to President Vladimir Putin that the Russian military is conducting exercises in almost all military districts, and some of them are either being completed or will be completed soon.

The West is concerned about Russia’s military activity, seeing it as a precursor to an invasion of Ukraine. Russia denies such plans, saying it is moving troops around its territory in response to increased NATO activity near its borders.

Russia and the West are embroiled in a major confrontation over Europe’s security structure: Moscow calls Ukraine’s possible NATO membership a “red line” and demands security guarantees for itself, while Washington and Brussels refuse to back down under the Kremlin’s pressure.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested at a meeting with Putin on Monday that talks on security guarantees should continue and intensify despite the “unsatisfactory” response of NATO and the EU to Russian proposals. Russia’s 10-page response is already ready, he said.