Polish DM Says Talks on NATO’s Reinforcement in Eastern Europe to End Soon

Negotiations on NATO’s enhanced presence in Eastern Europe are expected to be accomplished in the upcoming few days, the Polish Minister of National Defence Antoni Macierewicz announced.

“In February, they made a decision on political expansion of enhanced permanent presence of NATO forces on its Eastern flank. Now the technical details have been lined up,” Macierewicz said, adding that it would take an additional couple of days to end the negotiations.

The Defense Minister expressed hope that the talks would bring desired results, despite “provocations that we have to face from the side of Russian Federation.” He added that Poland is “waiting for a critical decision” that would put an end to “breaches of peace in Europe and partial occupation of Ukraine.”

“We are confident that the upcoming NATO summit to be held in Warsaw in July will bring long-awaited changes,” he added.

The United States Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken said it is the NATO’s responsibility to fight “threats on Eatern and Southern flanks,” and provide a “constant rotational presence [of alliance’s forces] in Europe.”

Prior to that, the new head of NATO’s Supreme Allied Command Europe, Curtis Scaparrotti, called on members of alliance to be constantly ready for countering threats from Russia and terrorists.

The Press Secretary for the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov ealier claimed that Moscow doesn’t pose a threat to anyone, but won’t turn a blind eye to hostile activities that are contrary to its interests.