The Alliance will not give up the presence of troops in its eastern part
Washington. January 21. INTERFAX - The North Atlantic Alliance rejected Russia's demands for the withdrawal of troops from Bulgaria and Romania, American media reported with reference to NATO representative Oana Lungescu.
"NATO will not give up the ability to defend and defend each other, including by the presence of troops in the eastern part of the alliance," Lungescu's statement is quoted by the media.
"Russia's demands will create the first and second class of NATO members, which we cannot allow. We reject any ideas about spheres of influence in Europe," Lungescu stressed.
The representative of the alliance added that NATO will always respond to any deterioration in the security sphere "including strengthening collective defense." Moreover, according to her, NATO continues to assess the need to strengthen the eastern part of the alliance.
On Friday, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry called on Russia to respect Sofia's foreign policy choice regarding the country's membership in NATO.
