"All nations have the right to exercise their armed forces, but it is essential that this is done in a transparent and predictable manner. NATO and Russia exchanged reciprocal briefings on military exercises at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in May. We routinely monitor Russian exercises. We are doing the same with Vostok 2018," White said.
"Allied military attaches in Moscow have been invited to a voluntary observation of the exercise. This offer is under consideration. Vostok demonstrates Russia’s focus on exercising large-scale conflict. It fits into a pattern we have seen over some time: a more assertive Russia, significantly increasing its defense budget and its military presence," he said.
READ MORE: NATO Wants 'Sensible' Relations With Russia — Merkel
NATO has been significantly expanding its presence in Eastern Europe after the outburst of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014 using alleged Russian interference in the Ukrainian internal activities as a pretext.
Moscow has many times asserted its protests against the NATO military buildup stating that this move will undermine regional balance and result in a new arms race.
