NATO is flaring war with Russia: Former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev

Moscow / Warsaw, Dated 10^th July (Press)- Former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev accused NATO of escalating Cold War with Russia ‘into a hot one’. Referring to the Summit held by Western alliance in Polish capital of Warsaw, Gorbachev said, “All the rhetoric in Warsaw just yells of a desire almost to declare war on Russia. They only talk about defence, but actually they are preparing for offensive operations.” Gorbachev is known for his moderate stand on Western powers; hence such a strong accusation from him is catching attention of many.

In the summit held by Western Alliance in Warsaw, a declaration was made to deploy more than four thousand troops in Eastern Europe. Deployment of forces is planned in Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Troops from the US, UK, Canada and Germany are also expected to join in Eastern Europe. This is for the first time that the Western powers are aggressively posturing on the Russian border since the Cold War. NATO has extended extensive support to Ukraine and is also providing assistance to Finland to build its air defence in the Baltic Sea region.

Russia has strongly reacted and its Foreign office has demanded an explanation from NATO on the announcement post the Warsaw summit. NATO is expected to provide an explanation in the meeting to be held with Russia. Post-NATO’s decision, Russia has started to enhance deployment of additional forces on its Kaliningrad base, the only Russian Baltic Sea-port and on the western military front.

Reaction of Mikhail Gorbachev is a part of Russia’s response to NATO’s announcement. As the last President of the Soviet Russia, Mikhail Gorbachev had decided to withdraw forces from the European borders and to defuse tensions with Western nations. Mikhail Gorbachev had also appealed to seek co-operation of NATO and Russia on the flaring issue in Ukraine. Hence as mentioned earlier, an accusation on NATO of flaring of war against Russia, from a liberal and moderate Mikhail Gorbachev, is gathering attention of many.

NATO has however ignored all reactions from the Russian side. NATO chief Jens Stolenberg said “NATO poses no threat to any country. We do not want a new ‘Cold War’. We do not want a new arms race. And we do not seek confrontation. Russia has invested heavily in modern defence capabilities over many years and violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty has used military force against a sovereign nation in Europe, and that’s the reason why we have increased our presence in the Eastern Europe”.

NATO chief has strongly supported the move to triple its military presence in Eastern Europe, as a pure defence strategy against the danger posed by Russia.