Tallinn. January 16. INTERFAX-In connection with the "West" exercises held in Russia this fall, NATO will have to closely monitor the military activities of its eastern neighbor in the Baltic region, said General Tod Walters, Commander-in-Chief of the NATO Joint Armed Forces in Europe(SACEUR).
"This year, it will be necessary to closely monitor the activities of our neighboring state, which will conduct major exercises" West" and will practice military activities against NATO, "he said at a meeting with Estonian Defense Minister Juri Luik and Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, Major General Martin Herem, the Estonian Defense Ministry told Interfax on Saturday.
According to Walters, " the security of the Baltic Sea region occupies a very important place in NATO, and the region's deterrence and defense positions will continue to be strengthened."
"Despite all the challenges in the past and the coming year, the position of deterrence and defense, as well as the cooperation of the allied states, has been effective, which indicates a very good response and adaptation capabilities of the alliance," the Estonian Defense Minister said.
The parties also discussed the presence of Allied troops in the Baltic States and Poland, as well as the conduct of a mission to protect the Baltic airspace.
Since 2017, Estonia has hosted a NATO combat team with the size of a battalion and which includes military contingents from the United Kingdom, Denmark and France. In addition, after the Baltic states joined NATO, allied fighters were stationed here. Currently, German combat aircraft are deployed in Estonia on a rotating basis at the Amari Air Base.
In December last year, it was reported that the strategic command and staff exercises (skshu) "West-2021" will be held in September, including on the territory of Belarus,
"The experience gained in the current (2020) year will be increased and will ensure the quality of the joint strategic exercises" West-2021", which will be held in September, including on the territory of Belarus and the Western Military District. Preparations for the strategic exercises have already started, " the commander of the Western Military District (ZVO), Alexander Zhuravlev, said at the time.
