Former NATO Secretary General: If Russia continues its aggression NATO will establish permanent bases in Eastern Europe
The former NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that if Russia contuses its aggression, NATO will have to place permanent military bases in Eastern Europe.
According to him, NATO's decision to increase its presentence in the Balticsis a proper and very important step. He didn’t rule out that if Russia continues the provocations towards the Baltic countries, NATO could increase its military presence in the region, the Estonian Postimees news agency reported.
“I do not rule the fact out that we might need permanent military bases in certain countries so that the Alliance could react swiftly in case of an aggression,” Rasmussen said.
He also expressed surprise at the position of some NATO states over the provision of support to the Baltic states. He added that he does not understand why Germany, France and Italy consider such help unnecessary.
Rasmussen said that the whole idea for the existence of NATO is to provide a collective response to military threats towards the members of the Alliance. “The lack of such response would mean the end and collapse of NATO,” Rasmussen stated.
According to Rasmussen, the United States play a crucial role in the joint defense of NATO countries. He expressed hope that after the presidential election, the United States will increase its role in diminishing the significance of authoritative states in the world.