The troops will be taken from Bulgaria and Romania.
Russia has few of those requirements , which she has already presented to NATO — about the non-expansion of the Alliance to the East. Now the Kremlin wants the bloc to withdraw its troops from Bulgaria and Romania, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to Channel 24.
And the Russian authorities are not at all worried about the fact that these two countries have long been members of, in fact, NATO since 2004. After all, Putin not only hinted, but also directly said that would like to see the Alliance on the borders 1997.
NATO responded with a categorical refusal to Russia's reproach against Romania and Bulgaria
Since then, we recall that 14 countries have joined NATO (now there are 30), of which practically all — this is the eastern flank. That is:
- These countries were once part of the USSR (like Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia).
- Or they were in the sphere of influence of the Soviet regime (like Bulgaria, the Czech Republic or Slovakia).
So, Vladimir Putin's demands are an attempt at diplomatic revenge, the return of his influence in Eastern Europe.
But Europe does not agree with this.
- Bulgaria , represented by Prime Minister Kirill Petkov, said which is a sovereign country, has long decided on its foreign policy course (towards the EU towards NATO) and «determines its own policy».
- The Romanian Foreign Ministry categorically rejected «inappropriate and unfounded» Russian statements about NATO's military presence in the country. They are sure as noted on Digi24, that this cannot be a topic for negotiations at all.
- Moreover: according to VG, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on January 20 that he would be happy to welcome additional troops NATO in your own country.
And then in NATO a similar statement was made.
Bloc representative Oana Lungescu, quoted Voice of America» assured that the Alliance would never will not give up from any means of defense and protection of all member countries, taking into account the presence of troops.
Fulfilling Russia's demands would lead to the creation of first- and second-class NATO members, which we cannot allow. We reject any idea of spheres of influence in Europe,
Lungescu said in a statement.
p>
Moreover, NATO has assured that it will respond immediately to any deterioration in security conditions, and among the methods is the strengthening collective defense.
Please note: just as noted in balkaninsight, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoane on January 21 categorically rejected «anachronistic» Russia's demand for the withdrawal of the Alliance troops from Romania and Bulgaria.