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Russian Foreign Ministry: NATO military buildup bad for northern Europe

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, NATO and the US are increasing their military activities in the Baltic region, a traditional area of peace and stability

© EPA PHOTO BELGA/BENOIT DOPPAGNE

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MOSCOW, August 25 /TASS/. NATO’s growing military buildup does not contribute to security in northern Europe, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

The diplomat noted that the Russian Foreign Ministry had received numerous questions from journalsits whenever reports about alleged violations of the Swedish airspace by Russian planes appeared in the media. By contrast, the journalistic community was absolutely calm and impassive when planes of NATO member countries had violated the Swedish airspace six times since the start of 2016.

"NATO and the United States are increasing their military activities in the Baltic region, which has traditionally been an area of peace and stability. Such intrusions into the skies over Sweden, which is not a member of any military unions, are sad and alarming and do not contribute to maintaining the atmosphere of cooperation and security in the north of Europe," the Russian diplomat said.

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