Russia to Respond ‘Symmetrically’ to Any NATO’s Military Build Up

Deputy Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Yevgeny Lukyanov, said on Saturday that Moscow will give a symmetrical and effective response to any NATO’s build up along the Alliance’s eastern borders.

“The answer always to any suggestions [of NATO] will be mostly symmetrical. That’s why, there is nothing to worry too much about. The response is adequate, effective and cheap,” Lukyanov told RIA Novosti on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

NATO defense ministers agreed Wednesday to a rotational deployment of four battalions in the Baltic States and Poland. The majority of the contingent, to be deployed as early as in 2017, will comprise military personnel from the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Commenting on the Alliance’s decision, Russian envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko said Thursday Moscow did not see a difference between constant rotation and permanent deployment of NATO forces near the Russian borders, and would respond adequately to this threat.