Feb 13, 2016 ...Russia accused world powers of fighting "a new Cold War" as Moscow came under pressure from the United States and NATO over ... Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev painted a grim picture of relations with the West, telling the ... " Sometimes I wonder whether it is 2016 we are living in, or 1962.".
Russia Accuses West of 'New Cold War' over Syria, Ukraine
byAndy EckardtandCarlo Angerer
Gen. Breedlove: NATO Doesn't Want Cold War1:30
MUNICH — Russia on Saturday accused world powers
of fighting "a new Cold War" as Moscow came under pressure from the
United States and NATO over its actions in Syria and Ukraine.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev painted a
grim picture of relations with the West, telling the Munich Security
Conference in Germany that NATO's stance on Russia remained "unfriendly
and opaque."
"One could go so far as to say we have slid back
to a new Cold War," he told a packed auditorium of ministers and
policymakers. "Sometimes I wonder whether it is 2016 we are living in,
or 1962."
His comments came as NATO general secretary Jens
Stoltenberg told the same conference that Russia is "destabilizing the
European security order". Stoltenberg said that as a result of the
Ukraine conflict, NATO allies are taking the greatest effort for
collective defense in decades".
Inside Syria: Ceasefire Agreement Is Met With Skepticism1:53
Russia's actions are "aimed at intimidating its neighbors," Stoltenberg said.
Secretary of State John Kerry added to the
criticism, saying the majority of Russia's bombings in Syria had been
against legitimate opposition groups.
Medvedev said that only regular cooperation
between Moscow and the United States could settle the situation in
Syria, and repeated Russia's denials that it is bombing civilians who
are opposed to President Bashar Assad.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev speaks at the 52nd Security Conference in Munich, Germany. ANDREAS GEBERT / EPA
"I want to emphasize that regular cooperation
between Russia and the United States will be crucial," he said. "And I
mean regular — every day."
Gen. Philip Breedlove of the United States Air
Force, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe, told NBC News on
Saturday that NATO "doesn't want" a Cold War — as Russia had referenced.
He said the allied countries need to "position
ourselves better" after Russia used "force to change internationally
recognized borders," hinting at Crimea's breakaway vote from Ukraine in 2014.
"So we have to be ready, and from a position of
ready then, we are prepared to have dialogue," Breedlove said. "We know
we have to find a way to move forward with Russia, and our Secretary
General has made this very plain."
In a clear sign of allied solidarity, the United
States has stepped up to increase its military presence in Europe in
recent months — including the deployment of more equipment and troops,
as well as an increase of military exercises, especially on Europe's
eastern borders.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced on
February 2 that the Pentagon will request $3.4 billion next year for
additional troops and training to counter "Russia's aggression." This is
a fourfold increase from the current fiscal year, which reflects
concerns of the U.S. administration and NATO allies about Moscow's
intentions in eastern Europe.
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