NATO to conduct large-scale military exercises near Russian borders
In October 2018, NATO countries will conduct large-scale military exercises at Russian borders involving 45,000 personnel, RIA Novosti reports, citing General Robert Neller, the 37th Commandant of the US Marine Corps.
Neller did not specify exactly where the exercises would be conducted but he expressed confidence that Russia would respond to them. "There may be 45,000 NATO troops and dozens of ships and aircraft that will conduct exercises off the coast of Norway against the simulated threat."
He emphasized that these exercises will be an indicator of the seriousness of the strategy that is carried out by the USA. The general claimed that “Our NATO allies want to see us out there [in Europe] to protect them."
The NATO exercises are not this year’s only instance of sabre-rattling. As recently as February, Russia conducted missile exercises in the Crimea.