Russian Duma warns NATO of the threat of a new Cold War
The State Duma [Parliament] of the Russian Federation adopted a statement to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the OSCE, as well as to the national parliaments of the Balkan states, in which it warned about the possibility of starting a new ‘Cold War,’ as reported by Russia's TASS news agency.
The statement particularly notes the necessity to "intensify the dialogue in connection with the danger of the U.S. missile defense system deployment in Eastern European countries and NATO’s policy of expansion in Eastern and Southeastern Europe."
Russian MPs said in their statement that the tendency of NATO to expand in Eastern Europe is a "dangerous line, in fact aimed not at the defense but at the outbreak of a new Cold War."
In this regard, the Duma proposes to jointly assess the possible impact of these steps and to work out proposals aimed at creating favorable conditions for the lessening of international tension.
"In a situation when NATO leadership is trying to justify its raison d'être by forcing a confrontation with Russia, the State Duma deputies consider it necessary to join efforts with their foreign counterparts to overcome the dangerous tendencies which can lead to military and political confrontation," the statement reads.
The Russian Parliament has expressed its deep concern "in connection with the deployment in Europe, in particular in Poland and Romania, of U.S. anti-missile systems, which are dual-purpose systems that can also be used for offensive purposes against Russia."
In addition, the State Duma deputies "are concerned about Montenegro’s engaging in NATO, which creates a division in Montenegrin society and creates a high degree of social and political tension in this country."
Russian President Putin has said before that Russia has to fortify its defense due to NATO’s "aggressive activity."