Russian-led security bloc chief says Russia, NATO now in direct standoff

(Interfax – Groznyy, April 23, 2014) Russia and NATO countries have reached a level of direct confrontation, Nikolay Bordyuzha, secretary-general of the CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization], told journalists on Wednesday [23 April].

“In effect, thanks to the actions of certain NATO states, we have reached a level of direct confrontation,” Bordyuzha told journalists in Groznyy on Wednesday after a visiting session of the committee of security council secretaries from CSTO countries.

“Today sanctions are in effect against Russia, people from Maydan are trying infiltrate Russia to destabilize the situation, NATO ships are calling in Black Sea ports, violating all agreements on the length of their stay,” Bordyuzha said.

“This is a psychological attack, muscle flexing from the West. But this is all instigating further escalation of the general situation,” Bordyuzha said.

The CSTO has not interfered in the situation in Ukraine, as Ukraine is not a member of the organization.

“We would not want special international organizations to interfere in what is going on inside Ukraine,” he added.