NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has urged Russia to refrain from building up its military near the alliance's borders, calling such a move “a complete waste” of financial resources.
Russia has warned that it plans to deploy Iskander missiles in its Kaliningrad territory, which borders NATO members Lithuania and Poland, after it failed to agree with the 28-nation alliance on a missile-defense shield.
Rasmussen told reporters on January 19 in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, that Russia's plans were directed against “an artificial enemy, an enemy that doesn't exist."
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said Russia’s actions “do not increase trust between NATO and Russia."
Compiled from agency reports
Russia has warned that it plans to deploy Iskander missiles in its Kaliningrad territory, which borders NATO members Lithuania and Poland, after it failed to agree with the 28-nation alliance on a missile-defense shield.
Rasmussen told reporters on January 19 in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, that Russia's plans were directed against “an artificial enemy, an enemy that doesn't exist."
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said Russia’s actions “do not increase trust between NATO and Russia."
Compiled from agency reports