Russian Foreign Ministry: Deployment of additional NATO forces in Baltic states constitutes escalation

Moscow, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday said that the prospect of deploying additional NATO forces, including U.S. troops, in Baltic states “constitutes an escalation.” Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in remarks carried by Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS, stated that the deployment of new NATO forces in the Baltic countries, including U.S. forces, “amounts to an escalation.”

On another note, the spokesperson praised Belarus’s efforts in the Ukrainian settlement process, expressing appreciation for initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis, including U.S. proposals put forward in Alaska. She also expressed hope that countries interested in peace would be able to persuade parties calling for the continuation of the war to pursue a settlement.

In a separate development, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Britain had expanded its sanctions against Russia by adding 26 items and imposed restrictive measures on 12 ships. Zakharova accused EU representatives of attempting to divert attention from their internal problems by making “baseless” accusations against Russia, warning that the confrontational path between the two sides would exacerbate problems for EU countries.

In another context, Zakharova announced that the President of Equatorial Guinea intends to visit Moscow to participate in the Russia-Africa summit at the end of October. (End) Dan / T.M.A