Moscow blasts NATO focus on 'non-existent' Russia threat

NATO will hold fresh talks with Russia on July 13 in Brussels just days after the landmark alliance summit

Moscow blasts NATO focus on 'non-existent' Russia threat
AFPPTI Moscow
Last Updated : Jul 10 2016 | 6:08 PM IST
Moscow on Sunday, slammed NATO for focusing on a "non-existent" threat from Russia at a leaders summit in Warsaw that saw fears over the Kremlin's expansionism high on the agenda.

"A preliminary analysis of the results of the meeting shows that NATO continues to exist in some sort of military-political looking-glass world," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Contrary to the objective interests of maintaining peace and stability in Europe... The alliance concentrates its efforts on deterring a non-existent threat from the East," the statement said.

NATO leaders united in Warsaw Saturday behind a "hard- headed" policy of deterrence and dialogue with Russia after launching the alliance's biggest military revamp since the Cold War to counter a resurgent Moscow.

Alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said alliance leaders "stand together" on Russia, agreeing at a summit in Warsaw to bolster its eastern flank after Moscow's annexation of Crimea and the Ukraine conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has opposed NATO's decision to put four battalions in Poland and the Baltic states, seeing the expansion into Moscow's Soviet-era backyard as a direct security threat.

"The alliance is united, we stand together," Stoltenberg said when asked about the leaders' talks on Russia.

"The united message is that defence and dialogue are what our relationship is based on."

NATO will hold fresh talks with Russia on July 13 in Brussels just days after the landmark alliance summit.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 10 2016 | 5:57 PM IST

Next Story