NATO foreign ministers finalize measures against Russia
-
US troops from the 5th Battalion of the 7th Air Defense Regiment emplace a launching station of the Patriot air and missile system at a test range in Sochaczew, Poland, on March 21, 2015.
NATO foreign ministers were finalizing on Thursday details of a massive military build-up in Eastern Europe aimed at Russia.
On the first day of a two-day summit in Brussels, they are working out a plan to counter what they call a more aggressive and unpredictable Russia.
On Wednesday, US Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute said the foreign ministers would have a “very sober discussion on dealing with Russia... which essentially has thrown out the rulebook.”
“This is not the predictable partner we thought we had,” he said. “We might not have a partner open to dialog but we have to show NATO is always open to dialog.”
NATO leaders are scheduled to officially approve deploying more troops into east European member states as part of a “deter and dialog” strategy at a Warsaw summit in July.
On May 12, the US activated a land-based missile system in Romania, despite Russia’s warning against a systematically increasing US-led arms deployment near its borders.On Friday, President Vladimir Putin strongly criticized the deployment of the US missile system near his country, and vowed to neutralize any threats against Russia.
Moscow has repeatedly warned that the move could complicate security in the West Balkan region.
Moscow has called NATO’s membership invitation for Montenegro a “provocation” and Podgorica’s inclusion in the Western military alliance as a threat to its strategic interests.
SS
