US sends heavy military equipment to Baltic states to 'deter' Russia
The United States has delivered over 100 pieces of heavy military equipment to the Baltic states in northern Europe to provide them with the ability to “deter” the perceived threat from Russia.
The US army provided the heavy armor on Monday for the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The equipment was delivered to the port of Riga, the capital of Latvia.
The arrival of these weapons will "demonstrate resolve to President (Vladimir) Putin and Russia that collectively we can come together," US Major General John R. O'Connor told AFP as he oversaw the delivery of the equipment.
The military equipment includes Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and Scout Humvees as well as support equipment. O'Connor said the armored vehicles would stay "for as long as required to deter Russian aggression".
The three Baltic states, which were formerly ruled by the ex-Soviet Union, joined NATO and the European Union in 2004.
NATO plans to expand its military presence in Eastern Europe amid the conflict in Ukraine and has held numerous war games over the past year. In 2014, NATO forces held some 200 military exercises, with the alliance’s General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg having promised that such drills would continue.
The weapon transfer comes amid tensions between the US and Russia over the Ukrainian crisis. Western governments accuse Russia of destabilizing Ukraine by supporting pro-Russian forces there, an allegation Moscow has repeatedly denied.
The United States and European Union have agreed to "impose significant additional costs" on Russia if a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine is violated.
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