The US European Command (EUCOM) has recently published an updated theater strategy, formalizing the combatant command’s top priorities, mission and vision.
"Russia is portrayed as a main threat and must be deterred from aggression into Eastern Europe. This postulate defies commentary…because it's so far from reality," Grushko said in an interview with Rossiya-24 television.
The updated theater strategy comes after the conclusion of one of the European Command's "busiest years," the EUCOM's official blog said Tuesday. The update shifts the US strategic focus on a "revanchist Russia," according to the EUCOM Commander, Gen. Philip Breedlove. EUCOM assigned number one priority to deterring "Russian aggression," which is followed by enabling NATO, preserving strategic partnerships and countering transnational threats.
"I would like to reiterate that the US claims do not reflect the real security demands or real demands of global development, because it is clear that today we must unite global efforts to counter new real risks and threats rather than build some 'security heavens' or arm ourselves against mythical threats," Grushko stressed.
On Wednesday, US Air Force Chief Deborah Lee James said that Russia posed the biggest threat to the United States, echoing a July statement by US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford.
Since the start of the Ukrainian conflict in early 2014, the United States and its NATO allies have been accusing Russia of violating Ukraine's sovereignty and acting aggressively toward neighbors in the Baltics and Eastern Europe.
Russia has denied the accusations of its alleged military involvement in Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly warned against the increased NATO military build-up and exercises along Russia’s borders.
