NATO is observing a “significant” movement of Russian forces to Belarus, considering it “the largest since the Cold War,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference in Brussels with the Prime Minister of North Macedonia.
The verification of the reaction forces of the Union State takes place in two stages. At the first stage (until February 9), groupings of troops on the territory of Belarus will be redeployed and created. At the second stage (from February 10 to February 20), joint exercises “Allied Resolve-2022” will be held, within the framework of which issues of suppressing and repelling external aggression, as well as countering terrorism and protecting the interests of the Union State will be worked out.
“In recent days, we have seen significant movements of Russian military forces to Belarus. This is the largest deployment of Russian troops there since the Cold War”, Stoltenberg said.
He noted that “thirty thousand servicemen, including special forces, as well as fighters, including Su-35, Iskander missiles, and S-400 air defense systems, have been sent to Belarus.”
The Secretary General also pointed to the “annual exercises of Russia’s nuclear forces, which should take place in February.”
“NATO continues to call on Russia to de-escalate… We remain ready for a thorough dialogue,” he stressed. According to Stoltenberg, “the allies are ready to discuss Russia-NATO relations, how to reduce risks and increase transparency, arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.”
“We intend to find a political way out of the crisis, but we are ready for the worst option,” the secretary general added.
Kiev and Western states have recently expressed concern about the alleged increase in “aggressive actions” by Russia near the borders of Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied such accusations, saying that it does not threaten anyone and does not intend to attack anyone, and claims of “Russian aggression” are used as an excuse to place more NATO military equipment near Russian borders.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted earlier that Western statements about “Russian aggression” and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it are both ridiculous and dangerous. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, it does not threaten anyone and should not worry anyone.