The Russian government once again criticized NATO as the Western defence alliance celebrated its 75th anniversary, saying the United States is behind it and is using it as an “instrument of confrontation, especially on the European continent.” NATO’s activities currently promote neither security nor stability in Europe, “but on the contrary are a destabilizing factor,” long-time Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, according to the state-controlled Interfax agency. “NATO was planned, configured, created and directed by the US as an instrument of confrontation,” especially in Europ…