Interfax: Russia will do all that’s needed to guarantee its protection from any threats – Moscow’s NATO envoy

BRUSSELS. Aug 28 (Interfax) – NATO’s intention to adopt “a readiness action plan” as part of its recent steps near the borders with Russia under the pretext of some threats coming from the East is unjustified and will only serve to further complicate relations between Russia and the alliance, Moscow’s Permanent Representative to NATO Alexander Grushko has said.

“Certainly, we will take account of the new configuration and activity of NATO forces near the Russian borders in our military planning, and we will do all that is needed to reliably maintain our security and guarantee our protection from any threats,” he told Interfax in Brussels ahead of a NATO summit, due to be held in Wales on September 4-5.

It is too early to say what decisions the alliance may adopt at its summit, including those concerning its further dialogue with Russia, Grushko said.

“Statements that we hear from the leadership of the alliance indicate that NATO plans to continue to boost the operational readiness of its forces and move its military infrastructure closer to the Russian borders using the need to protect itself from the imaginary threat allegedly coming from the East as a pretext,” he said.

“These measures are unjustified. They are directed against Russia and will obviously serve to further complicate Russia-NATO relations, which are close to the “freezing point” at this stage,” Grushko said.