Finnish Foreign Minister Frustrated Over NATO Military Buildup in Baltic
SputnikNews.com
19.03.2015
Finland’s Foreign Minister is frustrated over NATO’s military buildup in the Baltic region.
Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Erkki Tuomioja voiced his frustration over the buildup of NATO military forces in the Baltic, adding that while he disagrees with elements of Russian security policy, he understands the logic behind it.
Speaking to Finnish media company Yle about the strengthening of NATO presence in Estonia and Latvia, Tuomioja noted that “this is very sad, a show of force. In the Baltics, we are talking about NATO members wanting the alliance to have a serious presence in the region.”
Commenting on the Russian response, including military exercises bordering Finland, the minister noted that in his view, the exercises are a “political show,” with no ulterior motive.
“I think that what we’re dealing with is to a large extent a political show in the region. [Russian] exercises are not really earth-shattering, but it is clear that they carry a political message. There is no other direct communication. However, in Russia’s view, it is a response to NATO sending of new military forces to Russia’s borders.”
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