Russia war games in Belarus spark anxiety in Baltics
Russia's war games spark anxiety in the Baltics
The Pentagon is concerned Moscow might use the exercise to build up forces in Belarus; reports say as many as 100,000 Russian troops could participate but Russia insists its troop numbers will stay below 13,000 to comply with a NATO agreement
VILNIUS, Lithuania – The three Baltic states are watching with concern the latest round of Russian military drills that some analysts believe could be the largest of their kind since the Cold War.
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, who often criticizes Russian leaders, says the mid-September military exercise in Belarus is a sign that Kremlin is preparing for a serious conflict with NATO.
"We are anxious about this drill ... it is an open preparation for war with the West," she told reporters.
Russia and Belarus say the exercises, which last until Sept. 20, will involve 5,500 Russian and 7,200 Belarusian troops.
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