KUBINKA (Moscow Region) (Pakistan Point news / Sputnik - 24th August, 2018) Moscow will take adequate diplomatic and military measures in response to NATOs ongoing military build-up, including the alliances upcoming drills, set to be the largest in over a decade, Russian Ambassador at Large and Senior Arctic Official Vladimir Barbin said on Friday.
Back in May, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti said that the Trident Juncture 18 drills, slated to take place in Norway from October to November, were supposed to become a "demonstration of our capability" and a "deterrent message" to Russia.
"All these factors [NATOs military build-up] should be taken into account, and the necessary responses � both diplomatic and military ones � should be provided in a timely manner. At the same time, our choice is the same: a civilized, negotiated solution to all contentious issues to ensure peace and stability in the Arctic through the development of international cooperation," Barbin said at the Army-2018 international defense industry forum near Moscow, citing the examples of NATOs scaled-up military activities.
In particular, the diplomat noted the alliance's upcoming Trident Juncture 18 drills, the largest NATO exercises since 2002 with some 40,000 servicemen, 150 aircraft and 70 ships due to be involved.
According to Barbin, the aggravation of relations between Moscow and the West has also affected cooperation in the Arctic region. He mentioned the Wests sanctions against Russias regional projects in the oil and gas sector, dismantled contacts between the respective militaries, the active involvement of the alliance in the region and the build-up of NATOs presence near Russian borders.
He also pointed to the alliances recent decision to set up the new Joint Force Command for the Atlantic based in the US city of Norfolk which would be in charge of the Arctic-Atlantic zone and Washingtons efforts to re-establish its Second Fleet, mainly operating in Northern Atlantic.
Russia has repeatedly criticized NATOs buildup and exercises near its borders, saying such actions were provocative, and could lead to regional and global destabilization.
