MOSCOW, November 15. /TASS/. The numbers of US military and arms deployed in Europe are indicative of Washington’s bid to control the European Union despite statements from European politicians who say Europe wants to have its own common army to be more independent, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.

"What do you think, who in the country that is only building up its presence in Europe will like to see Europe begin to make statements that Europe, the European Unions are not vassals [of the US]," the diplomat said.

"These amounts of arms, hardware, the strength of the military contingent... I don’t think this is indicative of cooperation, I think this also has the controlling functions, namely control over Europe," Zakharova added.

"That is why I certainly think, and a lot of analysts say this, that the US won’t be glad to hear the statements we have heard from European capitals, as the US has its own agenda and its own plans concerning Europe," the diplomat added.

She also stressed that it is a sovereign right of a nation and integration associations to establish their own armed forces.

At the moment, there are 60,000 US military in Europe. They are stationed in 13 garrisons in five countries - Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. The US Air Force has seven bases in six countries - Belgium, the UK, Germany, Greece, Italy and Cyprus. Naval ships of the US 6th fleet deployed to the Mediterranean are rotated.