NATO moves anti-aircraft missiles closer to Russian border

NATO moves anti-aircraft missiles closer to Russian border

Sunday, March 10, 2024 14:00 PM (GMT+7)

NATO is building a defensive posture with many air defense missile systems deployed close to the Russian border.

NATO countries are rotating air defense missile systems to Lithuania in response to calls from the Baltic states to strengthen their defense capabilities, according to Newsweek.

According to Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas, who spoke about the defense initiative at a press conference on March 7, 2024, the air defense systems will be operational in his country by the end of this year. According to Newsweek.

NATO countries agreed to create a rotational mechanism - in which allies would deploy air defense systems to the Baltic region for a period of time - at the NATO summit in Vilnius this summer, according to Newsweek.

Mr. Anušauskas did not specify which Western countries would participate in the first deployment of the air defense system in Lithuania, but made it clear that it would include Patriot complexes provided by a European ally, not the United States, according to Newsweek.

“The expectation is that this principle will not only last for a few months, but will cover all months of our schedule and significantly increase regional air defense capabilities,” Minister Anušauskas said, according to Newsweek.

Several European countries have raised concerns that Russia's special military operation in Ukraine could lead to a larger conflict between Moscow and NATO, according to Newsweek.

The military alliance has taken several steps to bolster its defenses along its eastern border in recent months, according to Newsweek.

NATO has conducted spring training for more than 90,000 soldiers from all 32 member countries, especially those that share borders with Russia, namely the Baltic states and Poland, according to Newsweek.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are among the most vocal members of NATO, urging the Western military bloc to prepare for the possibility of another Russian “offensive” in the region. For example, Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service has said that Russia is likely preparing for war against NATO countries within the next 10 years if it wins in Ukraine, according to Newsweek.

Tensions remain high between Moscow and the West, with President Vladimir Putin blaming NATO's influence over the Ukrainian government as one of the reasons his country was "forced" into war, according to Newsweek.

Mr. Putin also said that the conflict that has lasted more than two years will not end until the Ukrainian government agrees to remain neutral, according to Newsweek.

The Kremlin has accused the West of prolonging the war in Ukraine by bolstering Kyiv's military capabilities, warning late last month that NATO would be crossing the line if alliance members sent their troops to fight in Ukraine, according to Newsweek.

PV (According to ANTĐ)

Source: https://danviet.vn/nato-di-chuyen-ten-lua-loat-phong-khong-den-gan-bien-gioi-nga-20240310113702545.htm