NATO Criticizes New Russian Missiles Near Poland and Lithuania

NATO Criticizes New Russian Missiles Near Poland and Lithuania
Russian President Vladimir Putin heads a meeting on military industry issues in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, on Nov. 15, 2016. (Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
11/22/2016
Updated:
11/22/2016

NATO is criticizing Russia’s deployment of anti-ship missiles in its westernmost Baltic region as “aggressive military posturing,” and is urging dialogue to cool escalating tensions.

NATO said in a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the missile deployment near the alliance’s borders “does not help to lower tensions or restore predictability to our relations.” NATO called for more transparency on military activities “to avoid incidents and the risk of misunderstandings.”

Moscow has vigorously objected to the deployment of NATO’s military units near Russia’s borders, and is now reportedly installing Bastian missile-launchers in the Kaliningrad exclave, which borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania.

President Vladimir Putin said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies Monday night that Moscow would target NATO sites if it thinks they threaten Russia.

In this photo taken Wednesday, April 8, 2015, a U.S. military fighter jet participates in a NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission practice mission in the Tapa training area, some 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Tallinn, Estonia. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
In this photo taken Wednesday, April 8, 2015, a U.S. military fighter jet participates in a NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission practice mission in the Tapa training area, some 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Tallinn, Estonia. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
The Admiral Kuznetsov carrier seen in the Barents Sea, Russia, in this file photo. (AP Photo)
The Admiral Kuznetsov carrier seen in the Barents Sea, Russia, in this file photo. (AP Photo)