International security

Russia's top general warns NATO could spark 'large-scale military conflict' by staging exercises near eastern European border

NATO exercises near the Russian border could spark a 'large-scale military conflict',  Moscow's top general has claimed. 

Valery Gerasimov said yesterday that Western pressure on Russia could trigger 'crisis situations' which might spin out of control and provoke a war.  

Speaking to foreign military attaches, he accused NATO of heightening tensions in Europe and reducing security along the Russian border.   

NATO has staged drills in countries bordering Russia including Norway, Latvia and Estonia this year, while Moscow has also staged extensive war games with relations at their worst since the Cold War.

Gerasimov, who is chief of the general staff of Russia's armed forces, said the Kremlin does not see 'any preconditions for a large-scale war'. 

However, NATO drill scenarios 'point at NATO's deliberate preparation for its troops' involvement in a large-scale military conflict,' he alleged.  

Moscow has repeatedly voiced concern over the deployment of NATO forces in the Baltic countries which border Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said today that the 'continuing expansion of NATO's military infrastructure toward our borders raises concern.'