News / Interviews

‘NATO is offensive, not defensive organization’

Thursday, 13 July 2017 7:46 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 13 July 2017 7:50 AM ]

NATO forces demonstrate a water obstacle crossing during an International exercise “Iron Wolf 2017 /Saber Strike 2017” in Stasenai, Lithuania, June 20, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

NATO’s latest military exercises in Eastern Europe kicked off in Bulgaria on Tuesday. Some 25,000 military personnel from more than 20 NATO member states are involved in the drills. Press TV has interviewed Richard Becker, an analyst with the ANSWER Coalition, and Brent Budowsky, a columnist at The Hill, to discuss the matter.

Becker said NATO is as an “offensive alliance,” which has increased the number of its member states, especially in Eastern Europe, and has attempted to “surround Russia.”

“NATO is a very dangerous organization and not a defensive organization,” because it “is moving on Russia.”

He pointed to NATO’s record in the past 25 years, noting that the organization joined US-led invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yugoslavia.

“The US and its allies... are very determined to take an aggressive course” vis-à-vis Russia, he said.

NATO troops take part in Saber Strike military exercises in Orzysz, Poland, June 15, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Becker also argued that the US-led attempt to bring Ukraine into both the European Union and NATO was not a policy that any Russian governments could accept.

Meanwhile, Budowsky said the NATO drills in Eastern Europe were for defensive purposes and an attempt to reassure the European leaders who are worried about Russia.

He also dismissed a possible conflict between NATO members and Russia.

“The chances of NATO wanting any kind of attack against Russia are mathematically zero,” and “the idea of a nuclear or conventional war between the United States, NATO, and Europe versus Russia is zero,” he said.

The columnist said NATO is a “defensive alliance” that is not going to invade Russia.

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