NATO Concerned About Russia’s Military Build-up in Occupied Crimea

The North Atlantic Alliance has seen increased military build-up by Russia, from the High North all the way to the Baltic region, Black Sea, Middle East, and North Africa. NATO is concerned about Russia’s expanded military presence in the Black Sea region and in the occupied Crimea, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

“On the question about increased Russian presence in Libya, and in Africa in general, of course, this is something we follow and monitor very closely at NATO. It’s part of a pattern of increased Russian presence, not only Libya, but in other parts of Africa and in the Middle East, in Syria and in the Black Sea region in Crimea, and also in the Baltic region and also in the High North,” the statement reads.

At the same time, Stoltenberg expressed confidence that US President-elect Joe Biden, who is committed to transatlantic cooperation, will strengthen cooperation between North America and Europe.

Earlier, the NATO Secretary General said that the Alliance will continue to step up its military presence in the Black Sea region in response to the increase in Russia’s military contingent in the occupied Crimea. Since 2014, Russia has been conducting regular military exercises on the peninsula and in the Black Sea.

Bohdan Marusyak