Russia says military exercises currently being conducted by NATO in Poland “do not contribute to an atmosphere of trust and security” in Europe.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comments on June 7, a day after NATO members and partners launched their biggest-ever joint exercise in Poland.
Some 31,000 Polish, U.S., and other troops from NATO states and five partner countries are participating in the land, sea, and air drills.
The exercises are taking place weeks before NATO holds a summit in Warsaw that is expected to decide on whether to significantly increase NATO troop and equipment deployments to bases in Poland and the Baltic states.
Russia says any presence of NATO troops close to its borders is a threat to its security and warns it will take measures to respond.
