Nuland on U.S. - Russia Relations

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06/13/2016

Since Russia's invasion of Crimea and then eastern Ukraine, it has become clear that Russia is unwilling "to abide by international law or live by the rules of the institutions that Russia joined at the end of the Cold War," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland.

To counter the threat posed by Russia’s aggression and deter any military moves against NATO territory, the United States and its NATO Allies have maintained a military presence on land, sea, and air along NATO’s eastern edge—in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and the three Baltic States. All 28 Allies have participated in exercises, training sessions, and patrols throughout Europe supported by the U.S.

To press Moscow to bring an end to the violence in Ukraine and fully implement its commitments under the Minsk agreements, the United States has worked with the European Union, the G7, and other like-minded nations to impose successive rounds of tough, economic sanctions on Russia over the past two years. These sanctions, combined with low oil prices and Russia’s continued structural weaknesses, have imposed significant costs.

The United States is working to increase the resilience of countries across Europe that face pressure from Russia. To help Ukraine better monitor and secure its borders, deploy its forces more effectively, and defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the United States has committed over $600 million in non-lethal security assistance.

http://editorials.voa.gov/content/nuland-on-us-russia-relations/3373357.html

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1. NATO Chief: 4 Battalions Going to Baltic States, Poland

BRUSSELS — NATO's chief announced Monday that the alliance will agree this week to send four multinational battalions to the Baltic states and Poland to boost their defenses against Russia.

Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary-general, said alliance defense ministers will formally approve the deployment plan drafted by NATO military planners at a meeting that begins Tuesday in Brussels.

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, four of NATO's members that feel most threatened by Russia, will each be reinforced by "a robust multinational battalion," Stoltenberg told a news conference.

"This will send a clear signal that NATO stands ready to defend any ally," the alliance chief said.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/06/13/world/europe/ap-eu-nato.html?_r=0