Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Colonel-General Alexander Fomin said that he would not advise conducting a dialogue with Russia from a position of force, as German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer urged, speaking in the Bundestag. He said this in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
"Along with the fact that the threat of force is a direct violation of the UN Charter, such actions will not go without a proper response from our side. We have always proceeded from the assumption that the most complex problems should be resolved at the negotiating table. We are ready for a professional and constructive dialogue in compliance with the principles of mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests," Fomin emphasized.
In addition, he noted that the increased activity of NATO aircraft and naval forces could lead to serious incidents.
"In 2020, the activity of aircraft and naval forces of the alliance has increased significantly, there are more and more situations that can lead to serious incidents," Fomin said.
He reminded that on the eve of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Barents Sea the exercises of the detachment of combat ships of joint naval forces of NATO were conducted, in August and September 2020 over 15 flights of American strategic bombers B-52H and B-1B were registered in the vicinity of the Russian border; on October 13, 2020, the British Navy destroyer Dragon made a passage through Russia's territorial sea near Cape Chersonese, and on November 24, 2020, the US John McCain entered Peter the Great Bay.
"The listed actions were openly provocative. The incidents were avoided only thanks to the high level of professional training of Russian pilots and sailors," the deputy minister emphasized.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Mikhail Tereshchenko / TASS
Based on materials from TASS