BRUSSELS. Aug 8 (Interfax) - The recent statements made by the NATO administration saying that Russia regards NATO as an enemy are aimed at justifying the measures taken by NATO to increase its military presence in Central and Eastern Europe and in the Baltic, Mediterranean, and Black Seas, Alexander Grushko, Permanent Representative of Russia to NATO, said in an interview with Interfax.
"We see that the trainings have intensified and calls are being made to increase the defense expenditures and reconsider military plans and potentials. We are seeing attempts made by NATO to cover its troops reinforcement by statements on some 'continual rotational presence' in this region. Although the key criterion in the evaluation of the placement of potentials is not the degree of their rotation, but the permanence of their presence in a specific region," the diplomat said.
Grushko said the presence of vessels of the NATO countries in the Black Sea on a practically permanent basis does not help de-escalate the situation with Ukraine.
"Clearly, such vessels will not be short of attention from the Russian Navy and Air Force. In addition, we are seriously concerned about the precedents of non-observance of the Montreux Convention associated with overstays of the presence of naval ships of the non-regional countries in the Black Sea. Such abuse is unacceptable," Grushko said.
In the military sphere, it has become the rule to take into account potentials, not intentions, he said.
"For this reason, Russia will find an appropriate response to any actions taken by NATO to increase its military development and further move the NATO military potential in the direction of the 'eastern flank,'" he said.