Russia will defend itself against possible NATO threat: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia will defend itself against NATO which is increasing its military presence on “our borders.”
"If someone puts some of our territories under threat, that means we will have to direct our armed forces and modern strike power at those territories, from where the threat emanates," AFP quoted Putin as saying at a meeting with visiting Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Tuesday.
"It's NATO that is coming to our borders and not us moving somewhere," he added.
Putin stated that Russia would react appropriately and initiate its defense policies to neutralize threats coming from “an adjoining state.”
He went on to say that observers should not "blow anything out of proportion" in relation to the perceived NATO threats.
"Of course we will analyze everything, follow this carefully. So far I don't see anything that would force us to worry especially," said the Russian president. "It's all more political signals aimed towards Russia or its allies."
Earlier in the day, Putin announced that his country is to boost its nuclear arsenal, adding 40 intercontinental missiles.
Putin made the announcement while addressing an international military fair held just outside Moscow.
He also told Russian military authorities that over the next few months a vast array of state-of-the-art weaponry and equipment will be delivered to the army units.
Russia’s latest move comes against the backdrop of a rising military presence by the US and its NATO allies in Eastern Europe.
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