Russia issues warning to NATO over expanding military presence near its borders
(MENAFN) Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a stern warning on Wednesday, asserting that NATO's expanding military presence near Russian borders would not be left unanswered. Deputy spokesman Andrey Nastasyin emphasized Russia's stance during a press conference in Moscow, citing concerns over NATO's intensified military activities.
Nastasyin highlighted the recent approval by the Finnish parliament of a defense agreement allowing the US access to 15 military bases in Finland, which he interpreted as part of NATO's broader strategy to bolster its military posture in proximity to Russia.
He also criticized NATO's decision to invite the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia to an upcoming summit in Washington, D.C., characterizing it as an attempt by the US to extend what he termed as destructive influence worldwide. Nastasyin accused NATO of pressuring countries to distance themselves from cooperation with Russia, facilitated, in his view, by compliant European allies.
The deputy spokesman further accused the US and its European partners of destabilizing actions in Ukraine and neighboring regions. He claimed that Western powers were supplying weapons to Armenia, a move he asserted was aimed at undermining security arrangements within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). According to Nastasyin, this strategy also exacerbates tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, undermining regional stability and fostering an arms race.
Overall, Nastasyin's statements reflect Russia's deep-seated apprehensions about NATO's strategic maneuvers and its perceived efforts to expand influence at Russia's expense, underscoring ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region.
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