Moscow: Agencies - Europe and the Arabs
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia will find a way to reduce threats to its national security related to NATO's growing military presence near its borders. According to what was reported by the Middle East News Agency and reported on Thursday by the Youm7 website in Cairo
The Russian spokeswoman indicated - in a press conference on Wednesday - regarding the upcoming Northern Response exercises under the auspices of NATO next March - that “our country will not leave the strengthening of NATO’s military capabilities near its borders unanswered, and will take relevant defensive measures in order to limit of threats to its national security,” according to the Russian TASS agency.
She stressed that more than 20,000 soldiers - from various branches of service from 14 countries - will participate in the exercises that will take place in the northern parts of Norway, Finland and Sweden.
"This new round of military activity is fraught with a further escalation of tensions in the European Arctic region," she said.
In addition, Vladimir Yermakov, Director of the Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said today that the “hostile” policy of the United States towards Russia will not change anytime soon.
He added, "Russia's position on the conditions for resuming interaction with the Americans on strategic issues is a principled position and does not depend on the internal political climate in the United States or who is managing matters in Washington."
"Given the entrenched anti-Russian stance among the so-called American elites, we should not hold our breath for a rapid and sharp turnaround in the destructive course of the United States," he continued.
"In any case, trying to read the minds of Americans makes no sense," Yermakov stressed. The diplomat added, "Russia will continue to defend its foreign policy priorities with determination and steadfastness. Now Washington will simply have to take this into account."