Ischinger: US Plans for the Storage of Weapons in Europe Do Not Cut Across with the agreement with the Russian Federation



06/18/2015 4:53 PM


US and its NATO partners plans to send American weapons to be deposited in Europe do not conflict with the alliance obligations to Russia.



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This opinion was expressed by Chairman of the Munich Security Conference Wolfgang Friedrich Ischinger.

However, he does not believe that Europe is on the brink of a new Cold War.

- I believe that NATO should stick to its obligations arising from the agreement with Russia. They say that NATO will not pose significant forces on the territory of new NATO member states, - said Ischinger.

- At the same time, the US’ plans for the storage of weapons in Europe do not contradict the agreement, - he stressed. 
- Also, I want to note that neither Washington nor Brussels have yet made this decision, - said Ischinger.

The expert also noted that the agreement between Russia and NATO obliges Moscow to "exercise restraint" in building military capabilities. In his view, those obligations are not fulfilled by Moscow.

The position of Russia

Earlier in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia does not conduct an aggressive policy, but felt compelled to respond to existing threats in his address and will not disarm unilaterally.

-    Russia uses conflictual tone with no one", - said the head of state to a reporter's question about the attempts of the West to contain the "Russian bear".

At the same time, Putin noted that US military spending are more than total expenditures on these goals of others, and NATO military spending is ten times higher than Russia's expense. In this regard, he recalled the words of the "Iron Chancellor" Otto von Bismarck: "Not talk, but potential is important."

The President also noted that now sees no real threat from the West in statements on the possible deployment of weapons in Europe. In his opinion, the missile defense system is a threat more real.

- I would not like to escalate anything. Of course, we will analyze everything, but I do not see anything that made us engaged in this (retaliation)," - said the Russian president at a press conference.

According to him, "it's rather a political signs in relation to Russia."

- We are more concerned about the deployable missile defense system - he said.

Putin said that he considers Moscow’s response reasonable. According to him, "if someone threatens the territory of Russia, we should aim its weapons to those countries from where the threat is coming." "It is NATO approaching our borders, not we," - said Putin.

- This year, the composition of the nuclear forces will get more than 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles that will be able to overcome any, even the most technically advanced, missile defense system, - Vladimir Putin

source: tass


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