The defense Ministry suggested NATO to restore a system of contacts between the military
The Department has formulated specific proposals, said the permanent representative of Russia to NATO Alexander Grushko.
BRUSSELS, March 30. /Offset. TASS Denis Dubrovin/. The strengthening of the tools of confidence-building measures between Russia and NATO is impossible without the Alliance’s line on the domination of the force.
This was stated by the permanent representative of Russia to NATO Alexander Grushko, commenting on the results of this year’s first meeting of the Council NATO — Russia (NRC) at the ambassadorial level.
He stressed that the defense Ministry has put forward a proposal to NATO on the resumption of the system of military contacts, but warned that alone mutual briefings are insufficient to normalize the situation in the security sphere.
Military aspects of European security
“If to highlight the point, the focus was on the military aspects of the situation in the field of security in Europe. We gave our basic evaluation of the measures NATO’s “Eastern flank”, stressed that they weaken regional stability, do not meet the real security needs. Each day receives information about new deployments of forces and means of the US and its allies, as well as military infrastructure along the Russian border, teachings, Dragoon marches and other military preparations. We also expressed concern about the continuing creation of the European segment of global missile system of the United States, carrying serious risks for strategic stability,” he said.
“It creates a new reality in the military sphere, which we cannot ignore. In fact, we are trying to impose a confrontational agenda, and thereby prove the relevance of the Alliance. A dead-end attempts now and military means to create dividing lines in Europe; they are fraught with the resumption of the arms race, which is obviously not in the interests of the European peoples. Will take all necessary measures to ensure that our legitimate interests, security and defense”, — said the Russian permanent representative.
“Representatives of NATO countries spoke of the importance of the development of the Vienna document on confidence-building measures and security and other mechanisms in the field of arms control. But they were unable to answer the question, how it can be combined with a policy of containment of Russia and a demonstration of military muscle on our borders. Is incompatible. The strengthening of the tools of confidence-building measures is impossible without the Alliance’s line on the domination of the force,” — said Grushko.
Ready to go to de-escalation
“Nevertheless, even in these difficult circumstances that were not created by us, ready to jointly look for ways of de-escalation, reducing the risk of unpredictable incidents. NATO is also constantly talking about that they talked today about the desire to move in that direction. This, however, requires restoration of normal system work military contacts and restart the mechanism of the military dialogue and cooperation. The Ministry of defence of Russia has formulated specific proposals on this score, they remain on the negotiating table”, — said Grushko.
He noted that in the NRC, Russia has provided clarifications concerning the progress of the deployment of two divisions in the Western military district of the Russian Federation, as well as infantry division in the southern military district.
In turn, NATO has provided “updated information about the implementation plans forward deployment on the “Eastern flank”.
Briefings are not enough
“I don’t want to downplay the importance of this mutual awareness, but it is clear that the exchange of briefings are not enough to qualitatively change the situation in the security sphere for the better. Dialogue for dialogue will not produce results if you do not translate the discussions into concrete actions and decisions. To create a proper context for the joint work on the restoration of mechanisms of arms control it is necessary that NATO stopped the pumping process is “the Eastern flank” “iron”, leading to the undermining of regional stability”, — concluded the Ambassador of the Russian Federation.
Since the beginning of the year, NATO began deploying four of the multinational battalions in the Baltic States and Poland with a total population up to 5 thousand people
As previously reported by the Secretary General of NATO, these forces must reach a level of operational readiness by the end of June.