Brussels - NATO will step up its defence after Russia announced it will carry out military Zapad-2017 drills in Belarus, a central European nations that borders three critical defence allies. The escalation comes as the Russian President stokes tensions on NATO’s doorstep while continuing to intimidate Baltic nations and NATO allies Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said: “During the Zapad drills, more US servicemen, military equipment and vessels will be deployed here, air police will be doubled. The military exercise is not thought to be a reaction to America’s sweeping sanctions against Russia over its suspected involvement in the US general election. But more a sabre-rattling Russia’s plan to shore up its military prowess, which has left NATO allies and Baltic States rattled by Russian intervention in Syria and snap exercises. It is expected to involve 3,000 Russian troops, 280 pieces of military equipment and up to 25 Russian aircraft. The US has confirmed it will take precautions, including sending 600 American paratroopers to the three Baltic members for the duration of the Zapad exercise. US Vice President Mike Pence said: “A strong and united NATO is more necessary today than at any point since the collapse of communism a quarter-century ago and no threat looms larger in the Baltic states than the spectre of aggression from your unpredictable neighbour to the east.” Lt. General Frederick Hodges, the head of United States Army forces in Europe, said: “Look, we’ll be ready. We’ll be prepared. “But we’re not going to be up on the parapets waiting for something to happen.” During a national security conference in July, General Tony Thomas, the head of the United States Special Operations Command, spoke of the threat surrounding Russia’s presence in Belarus. He said: “The great concern is they’re not going to leave, and that’s not paranoia.” Peter Zwack, a retired one-star Army general, echoed the same concerns saying: “First and foremost, the messaging is ‘We’re watching you, we’re strong, we’ve learned a lot, don’t mess with Russia.’” But, hitting back, the Kremlin pointed out NATO’s own increased presence along their borders. Alexander Grushko, Russia’s Permanent Representative to NATO, added: “From June to November, NATO will hold over 15 drills in Eastern Europe and approximately the same number in the Black Sea region.
“If the total number of their participants is counted, it will be over 40,000 people.” (FA)
