NATO warns of the great Russian military deployment also in Belarus

The Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg, warned that Russia carried out in recent days its “largest” military deployment in Belarus since the Cold War, while keeping in and around Ukraine “more than 100,000 troops.”

“In recent days we have seen a significant movement of Russian military forces in Belarus. This is the largest Russian deployment there since the Cold WarStoltenberg said in Brussels, from NATO headquarters.

The Norwegian politician, who appeared together with the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, after meeting with him, explained that they discussed the military reinforcement that Moscow is carrying out in the vicinity of its border with Ukraine but also emphasized the transfer of troops and equipment to its ally Belarus.

“30,000 combat troops, Spetsnaz -special operations forces-, fighters including Su-35, dual-capable Iskander missiles and S-400 air defense systems are expected″, he indicated.

He warned that Moscow is bringing a “wide range of modern military capabilities” to Belarus, a country with which it plans joint military exercises between February 10 and 20.

In addition, Stoltenberg warned that this deployment “is combined” with Russia’s annual nuclear exercise scheduled for February.

Dialogue with Russia and deterrence

“NATO continues to ask Russia to de-escalate. Any new Russian aggression would have severe consequences and will carry a heavy price.Stoltenberg warned.

He assured that the Atlantic Alliance is willing to get involved in a “meaningful dialogue” with Moscow and recalled that it has already sent written proposals to Russia.

“Allies are ready to address NATO-Russia relations, how to reduce risks and increase transparency, and arms control and non-proliferation”, he explained.

In any case, he made it clear that NATO “will not compromise fundamental principles”, and referred specifically to the “right of each country to choose its own path” Y “NATO’s ability to protect and defend all allies.”

“We are committed to finding a political solution to the crisis, but we have to be prepared for the worst”, he added.

Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts at the highest level on the crisis between Moscow and Kiev continue and French President Emmanuel Macron will hold telephone conversations this Thursday with his Russian counterparts, Vladimir Putin; Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenski, and Poland, Andrzej Duda, after speaking this morning with US President Joe Biden.

American reinforcement

Stoltenberg also referred to Wednesday’s announcement by the United States that it would deploy an additional 3,000 troops to Germany, Poland and Romania in the face of the Russian threat.

“It is a powerful signal of America’s commitment and builds on other recent US contributions to our shared security.he said, referring to also putting a carrier strike group under NATO command in the Mediterranean and providing 8,500 soldiers at high readiness for the NATO Response Force.

Stoltenberg recalled that they have already put the NATO Response Force on alert and are considering deploying additional battalions to the southeastern part of NATO.

He also welcomed recent offers from Allies to improve NATO’s deterrence and defense.”with more troops, more ships and planes.”

allies unity

Stoltenberg also wanted to emphasize today the “Unit” that exists between the allies in the face of the Russian challenge.

Through his Twitter profile, he explained that he had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, who visited Putin in Moscow the day before, to strengthen bilateral ties and once again showed his good harmony with the Russian leader.

“All the allies agree on the importance of dialogue and strong deterrence and defense”, he settled in the message on the social network, in which he added that “it is good to talk again” with Orbán on “the crisis created by Russia’s military build-up in and around Ukraine”.

For his part, the president of another prominent country of the Alliance, the Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said this Thursday before leaving for Kiev, where he will meet with Zelenski, who supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine and appealed for moderation and dialogue. to resolve the tensions between that country and Russia.

Turkey maintains good relations with both Ukraine and Russia and has offered to mediate to reduce current tensions.