Russia's envoy to NATO is warning that Moscow will respond to a buildup of the alliance's forces near Russian borders.
"I am sure that everyone [in NATO] understands that those preparations NATO has been making along our borders cannot be left without a military-technical response," Aleksandr Grushko told Rossia-24 television on February 8.
He insisted that "Russia won't compromise its security interests," but wouldn't say what specific steps the Kremlin will take.
As relations between Russia and the West have soured over the Ukrainian crisis, the United States and its NATO allies have deployed additional weapons and held exercises in central and eastern Europe.
The Pentagon recently proposed to quadruple what it spends on its troops and training in Europe as part of efforts to deter Russia.
Moscow has long criticized the NATO activities on its doorstep as a threat to its security.
Grushko added that "NATO has shot itself in the foot" by cutting off cooperation in areas of common interest, such as jointly training drug police for Afghanistan, a move he said is "endangering security" in both Russia and Europe.
