Russian diplomat: Baltic wish for permanent NATO troops an attack on Founding Act
Aleksandr Grushko, head of the Russian representation at NATO, said the Baltic states' request for permanent NATO troops constitutes a direct attack on the principles of the Russia-NATO Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security, signed in 1997.
“The petition and public calls by a number of Baltic and Polish politicians to bring permanent US forces to the region is a direct and unhidden attack against the key points of the act signed by Russia and NATO in 1997,” he told Interfax.
“The situation is very serious. I think Europe should try to understand how far it can go by showing military might, including implementing such initiatives in nations which have been self-labeled front-line-states and which try to gain bonuses of dubious worth in this manner.” Grushko said.
He said the aim is to increase NATO's might on its eastern wing and draw a border in the middle of Europe.
He said the 'myths about the eastern threat' will become part of the West's ideology and which will then be used to influence public opinion.
The Baltic states have asked NATO to increase its military presence in the Baltics, turn the current temporary units into a permanent rotating mission and preposition weapons on Baltic soil.
Editor: J.M. Laats