Russia says relations with NATO at worst point since Cold War
"Russian-NATO relations are experiencing their most profound crisis since the end of the Cold War," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
- World
- DPA
- Published Date: 12:00 | 26 May 2017
- Modified Date: 05:05 | 26 May 2017
Russia's relations with the Western military alliance NATO are at their worst point since the Cold War, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday, a day after the alliance held a summit attended by US President Donald Trump in Brussels.
"Russian-NATO relations are experiencing their most profound crisis since the end of the Cold War," the ministry said in a statement.
NATO increasing its presence on its borders with Russia contradicts the guidelines of a 1997 agreement between the powers, the statement said, adding that NATO has exaggerated the possible threat that Russia could present.
Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the agreement.
"The increasing negative tendencies have not been Russia's choice. They are the result of many years of destruction stances by the bloc, aimed at reckless achievement of military and political domination in European and global affairs," the statement said.
NATO members states in Eastern Europe have felt increasingly threatened by Russia since it annexed neighbouring Ukraine's Crimea region three years ago. NATO has stationed thousands of soldiers in the Baltic states and Poland in recent years.
Trump announced at the summit on Thursday that the US intended to increase NATO funding, prompting concern by the Russian ambassador to the bloc, Alexander Grushko.