Russia to respond to NATO's growing activities near Russian borders

In connection with the increasing military presence of NATO Armed Forces near Russian borders, the Russian Federation will take adequate measures in return, the chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov said.

"In these circumstances, we can not remain indifferent to what is happening. We have to take measures in return," he said, speaking at the international security conference in Moscow.

"The events in Ukraine led to the aggravation of the military-political situation in Europe," said Gerasimov. "Several Western states have toughened anti-Russian rhetoric, increasing the composition of groups of NATO forces in the Baltic States, Poland and Romania. They also increase their military presence in the water areas of the Baltic, Mediterranean and Black seas," he said. In addition, he said, NATO increases the intensity of operational and combat training activities of the alliance near the Russian borders.

On May 6, the Allied Commander of NATO troops in Europe, U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove, said that the alliance would consider the issue of permanent placement of its troops in Eastern Europe due to the worsening situation in Ukraine.