30 Jun 2015 17:46

NATO replacing policy of partnership with Russia with policy of deterrence - Grushko

MOSCOW. June 30 (Interfax) - NATO is switching from partnership to deterrence in relations with Russia, Russia's Permanent Representative to NATO Alexander Grushko said.

This is the way in which decisions made at the meeting of NATO members states' defense heads in Brussels on June 24-25 should be interpreted, he said.

"This meeting has become another [example of] proof that NATO is switching from a policy of partnership to a policy of deterring Russia. Unfortunately, the political line we have observed in the past 18 months is nailed down in the sphere of military building and planning," Grushko said during a teleconference with Brussels on Tuesday.

"The technical decisions passed at the NATO Council meeting should be assessed namely this way," the diplomat said. It was announced during the meeting that NATO rapid response forces were to increase to 40,000 servicemen, he said.

"The plans to create by the end of the year six coordinating headquarters cells in Baltic countries, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria have been confirmed. It has been stated as well that NATO will study the possibility of creating additional cells - three countries were mentioned, these are Greece, Hungary and Slovakia," Grushko said.

The meeting of NATO defense heads took place in Brussels on June 24-25.