Rasmussen: NATO No Threat to Russia, Kaliningrad Shield a 'Waste'
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called Russia's intention to install missile shields in its Kaliningrad exclave a waste of resources because, he said, NATO is not a threat to Russia.
In a lecture at Tallinn University on his two-day visit to Estonia, Rasmussen also commented on the situation within NATO, saying it was difficult to work together within the alliance, ETV reported. The US is developing its technical capacity and European countries are lagging behind due to spending cuts, he said.
Rasmussen said he wanted the Chicago NATO summit in May to produce a political agreement regarding more joint leadership of future military projects.
"I would like to see a true strategic partnership between NATO and Russia," said Rasmussen. "I don't think it is in the spirit of that strategic partnership that Russia is threatening to deploy offensive military capabilities directed against NATO countries. We do not constitute a threat to Russia." He counseled Russia to invest into jobs and modernization instead.
Kristopher Rikken
