OPINION:
As the West attempts to counter what it sees as threatening Russian military behavior against NATO nations bordering the Russian Federation by increasing NATO assets in the area, Moscow is taking notice. It doesn’t like what it sees.
“The political line of NATO toward Russia remains unfriendly and closed,” Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Saturday in a speech to the Munich Security Conference. “It can be said more sharply: We have slid into a time of a new Cold War.”
The goal of the conference is to attempt to end the fighting in Syria, East Ukraine, and resolve sanctions against Russia. The Russian statement is another in a long line of propaganda meant to scare the West toward Russia’s foreign policy goals: i.e., sanctions relief and no buildup of NATO defenses.
For its part, NATO sees constant Russian exercises and warnings about its nuclear capability as direct threats against former Soviet states who are now part of the alliance.
“Russia’s rhetoric, posture and exercises of its nuclear forces are aimed at intimidating its neighbors, undermining trust and stability in Europe,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the conference earlier. “We strive for a more constructive and more cooperative relationship with Russia.”
In classic Russian fashion, Mr. Medvedev left open the door to progress by stating the situation was not as dire as in the past.
“Differences are not as profound as 40 years ago when the Helsinki accords were signed, when there was still a wall separating Europe,” he said.
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