Russian diplomat claims West is using Romania as foothold for intervention, points to increase in NATO presence
Speaking to RIA Novosti, Lipayev said "It is obvious that the states of the so-called collective West are trying, without directly using their armed forces, to increasingly intervene in the conflict in Ukraine, hoping to change its course by increasing the degree of escalation.
'The use of the territory of the alliance member states closest to Russia, including Romania, is considered one of the tools for such intervention. For this reason, the militarisation of Romania is in full swing."
Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of Western troops stationed in Romania, particularly personnel and assets from the US, UK, France, Poland, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, among others, as part of NATO's 'Enhanced Forward Presence' military doctrine, to contain Russia troops.
The diplomat noted that elements of the US missile defence system were deployed on the country's territory, military bases were being expanded, and the NATO contingent was increasing. The Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase is located less than 400 km from Sevastopol, he added.
'Since 2016, the American Aegis Ashore missile defence system has been deployed in the area of the village of Deveselu. Dozens of NATO military exercises are held annually.
'In fact, Romania is destined to play the role of a NATO outpost on its southeastern flank, which in the event of a global conflict could be used to launch a pre-emptive, disarming strike against Russia,' he noted.
Claiming that the Romanian leadership is assuaging its public with false promises of security under the auspices of NATO security and not informing them of the actual developments, the general public in the country has become increasingly opposed to any further involvement of Romania in the war.
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