NATO refuted claims recently that it was gearing up for a war with Russia in response to reports comparing military exercises the two powers have staged.
Reacting to a report from a London-based think tank alleging NATO and Russia were “actively preparing for war,” NATO on Wednesday defended the number of military exercises it has staged as a response to “growing Russian aggression,” according to the Atlantic Council.
“NATO military exercises are not, as the reports suggest, making war in Europe more likely,” NATO spokeswoman Carmen Romero said after the European Leadership Network published its report, the Atlantic Council reported.
“They are intended precisely to have the opposite effect: to enhance security and stability in Europe in response to growing Russian aggression,” Ms. Romero said in a statement.
She added that all NATO military exercises are “proportionate, defensive and fully in line with our international commitments.”
Ms. Romero said the report “misleadingly puts NATO and Russia exercises on a par.”
Russia has announced 4,000 exercises for this year, more than 10 times what the allied powers have planned, she said.
“Moreover, Russia has incorporated nuclear and nuclear capable forces in its recent exercises,” Ms. Romero said, The Atlantic Council reported.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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