NATO is threatening Russia and provoking a military buildup in eastern Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a Wednesday criticism of the Western alliance.
“The number of personnel and materiel near our borders is increasing,” Putin said while hosting Finnish President Sauli Niinisto for a joint press conference in Sochi. “More military exercises are being conducted. Major NATO exercises are being planned right here, next to this place, as well as in the Baltic region.”
Putin has long cited NATO’s expansion and the deployment of military assets in the region to argue that Western powers are encroaching upon Russia. His comments Wednesday were aimed particularly at Niinisto, in light of Finland’s recent agreement to deepen military cooperation with NATO, even though the Scandinavian nation is not a member of the transatlantic alliance.
“We must respond to U.S. missile defense assets deployed next to our borders,” Putin said. “Please note that these are not just regular anti-missile systems. These systems can also be used for medium-range missile launches.”
NATO officials dismissed those complaints, especially in light of Russia’s recent invasions of Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014.
“NATO has deployed 4,000 troops to the eastern part of the Alliance – to deter any possible aggression,” spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told Reuters. “These troops cannot compare to the divisions deployed by Russia. In contrast, Russia has troops in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova against the wishes of their governments.”
Niinistö observed that “any self-respecting nation” would seek to protect itself.
“I have not heard a single word of criticism with regard to Finland during my trip,” he added. “However, President Putin, for example, mentioned missiles of a certain type. There are no such missiles in Finland at all, none. I think it is critical that we all work to promote mutual understanding across the world.”
