NATO’s European missile system goes online

A new missile site operated by NATO has been launched in Romania, bringing the Western military alliance’s European missile system online.

The missile system became operational on Thursday, a day before Poland broke ground on an additional NATO base in the country, which is anticipated to hold significant missile assets.

NATO is planned to hold major military drills in Poland and the Baltics later this year with a significant participation of US troops.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said earlier this week that the alliance would deploy “battalion-sized” multinational units throughout member states in NATO’s eastern flank in preparation for the drills.

The US and its allies have repeatedly claimed that the increasing military presence of NATO in Eastern Europe has nothing to do with Russia. A former US official, however, has described the military buildup as a signal to Moscow.

“There will be a quite robust display of military power in Europe and allied resolve, and hopefully Moscow will see it for what it is, an alliance improving its capabilities,” said Derek Chollet, a former US defense official.

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted to the European military build-up, saying Russia cannot ignore actions that threaten it and will defend its interests.

"We have repeatedly said that a resurgent Russia is not a threat to anyone," he told a conference call with journalists.

"But at the same time Russia certainly cannot ignore any actions that may pose a direct or potential threat to its national interests and, traditionally, the Russian side will defend its interests if need be."

Russia and NATO have been locked in a deepening dispute.

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