Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has warned of the consequences of NATO’s military buildup near his country’s western borders, saying the move would provoke conflicts and cause military and political instability in the region.

“New challenges and tasks are emerging in the [Russian] border sphere and other areas,” Putin said at a meeting with members of Russia’ Security Council in Moscow on Friday.

“NATO is building up its military potential near our borders and attempts are being made to halt integration processes with Russia’s participation, provoke new and stir up old conflicts in the post-Soviet space and in regions neighboring on Russia, with all the ensuing consequences —military and political instability, the growth of smuggling and crime and acute humanitarian problems,” he said.

The Russian leader stressed that “a key task in these conditions is to ensure the reliable protection and defense of our frontiers, quickly and effectively neutralize potential threats.”

NATO member states, largely made up of Western European countries, have significantly increased their military activities near Russia’s western borders in recent years.

Source: Websites