Russian deputy FM: deployment of NATO infrastructure in Georgia is 'threat' to Moscow
Rudenko noted that if NATO weapon systems are deployed in Georgia, it will be a 'red line' for Moscow. Photo: tass.com
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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has said that the deployment of NATO infrastructure in Georgia will pose a 'threat' to Russia and its allies.
Rudenko noted that if NATO weapon systems are deployed in Georgia, it will be a 'red line' for Moscow.
Georgia's integration to NATO and the deployment of strike weapon systems on its territory are 'red lines' for us, since such actions will radically change the military-political balance of forces in the South Caucasus and create an immediate threat to the security of Russia and its allies in the region, the Russian deputy FM told Ria Novosti.
Rudenko claimed that although Georgia has cut diplomatic ties with Russia, Moscow supports 'peaceful coexistence' with Georgia.
Russia urged the NATO member states earlier to rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's bid to become members of the alliance.
As a response, the Georgian MFA denounced the statement, stressing that it 'contradicts the fundamental norms and principles of international law.'
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the College of Europe in Bruges earlier today that ‘NATO’s door remains open’ for Georgia and Ukraine. Stoltenberg said that he was at the NATO summit in Bucharest back in 2008 when the alliance made a decision that Georgia and Ukraine will become its members but they ‘did not set any fixed date’.
Konstantin Gavrilov, the head of the Russian Delegation to the Negotiations on Military Security and Arms Control in Vienna, stated earlier today that ‘under no circumstances will Moscow allow the deployment of NATO infrastructure in Georgia and Ukraine.’
Former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul has said that Russia should agree to withdraw forces from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine as part of the security deal proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia has called on NATO member states to rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's bid to become members of the alliance. The statement, issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanded the security guarantees from the United States and its allies.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has denounced Russia's military aggression against Ukraine as a 'threat' to European security following a NATO council held yesterday, noting that Russia invaded neighbouring Georgia and Ukraine and violated international arms control agreements over the last two decades.