Russia Bashes NATO Chief’s Statements ‘Aimed at American Audience’

The statements made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during his visit to Washington contradict declared intentions to improve relations with Moscow in order to ensure global security, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

"The statements made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during his recent trip to the United States… were clearly aimed at an American audience. It is also significant that the closer to Washington, the stronger the anti-Russian rhetoric of the alliance's leadership is. It confirms doubts over its [NATO's] political impartiality and independence."

The Russian Foreign Ministry also criticized NATO for creating myths about the "threat from the East," as well as the distortion of facts and unilateral assessments.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Russia to hold military exercises in a "more transparent" way on Tuesday after the Russian Defense Ministry announced a snap combat-readiness inspection of its air and air defense units in the country's Central Military District on Monday.

"Obviously, all of this is aimed to justify the costly military action plan undertaken by the alliance near Russian borders. At the same time, the fact that increasing military tensions on the borders with Russia undermines rather than enhances stability on the continent is not taken into account contrary to any common sense."

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Monday that Russia notified the members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe about the drills.