FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

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Diplomat Grushko Affirms, a U.S. Military Base in Poland Would Threaten Russia’s Security

Sept. 26, 2018 (EIRNS)—Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, formerly Russia’s envoy to NATO, told Sputnik that plans to establish a U.S. military base in Poland, on grounds that Russia is threatening the security of Poland and the Baltic nations, in effect means the dismantling of the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act, which prohibits the deployment of substantial combat forces along the Russian border on a permanent basis.

“This will mean that the NATO-Russia Founding Act ... will be dismantled,” Grushko warned. “I reiterate that this step would significantly worsen the security situation,” forcing Russia to take additional military and technical precautions that will reliably guarantee our security under new circumstances.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Grushko emphatically stated that “there must be no illusions: The creation of such a base close to our borders is meant to project force in the vicinity of Russian borders.” Such action by the United States, he remarked, will

“of course, be accompanied by very hostile rhetoric. Because it will be necessary to convince public opinion that this step is legitimate. But, it is absolutely unlawful. It is absolute nonsense that Russia is nurturing some aggressive plans against the Baltic States and Poland.”