The largest NATO exercise since the end of the Cold War, Steadfast Defender 2024, will begin in February. They will be held in Europe on the border with Russia, which the North Atlantic Alliance sees as a “threat”. This was reported by the Armenpress news agency with reference to Javier Colomin, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus.
According to Armenpress, the decision to hold the exercise, in which some 90,000 troops will take part, is mostly related to “deterrence capability” and “their message is clear”.
“We want to contain, in particular, Russia, which we consider a threat,” the agency quoted Kolomin as saying.
The source noted that Turkey is “an absolute supporter of (NATO – ed.) defence and deterrence efforts” and will take part in the exercises regardless of the special political relationship with Russia.
“It is as invested in the efforts we are undertaking as any other ally. It will be part of these big exercises, as it has been part of all the big exercises we have conducted in the past,” the Armenpress interlocutor noted.