NATO chief reacts to Russian surprise military exercises

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told CBS News he does not see any immediate threat against any of the 28 nations that make up the largest peacetime alliance in the world, despite Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine and unannounced military exercises near member states’ airspace.

 

“We urge Russia not to…do these kinds of snap exercises. Every nation has the right to exercise its forces, also Russia, but they should do it in a more transparent and predictable way to avoid any misunderstandings,” Secretary-General Stoltenberg to CBS News Chief White House correspondent Major Garrett.

 

On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry ordered a “surprise combat readiness inspection” of its air forces. More than 12,000 servicemen and 250 aircraft are taking part in the exercises over Southern Russia. In recent months, the Kremlin has conducted several unannounced air defense exercises near NATO-member airspace in the Baltics.

 

Read More: NATO chief reacts to Russian surprise military exercises – CBS News