Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow has reason to believe that the United States of America (US) and NATO could begin building up forces near Russia in the coming months, using tensions over Ukraine as an excuse.
Lavrov's statement comes at a time when Russia is massing its troops on the border with Ukraine, where there are about 100.000 Russian soldiers, and Kiev and its Western allies accuse Russia of planning a military invasion.
New movement of Russian troops
Russia's Defense Ministry announced on January 14 that troops stationed in eastern Siberia and the Far East region had been deployed to move across the country as part of rapid exercises.
The aim of the exercises, as announced, is to check the "readiness of the troops to carry out their tasks after redeployment over a long distance".
The ministry stated that "special attention will be paid to the assessment of the transport infrastructure, in order to ensure the movement of troops", adding that the troops will conduct live ammunition firing exercises after the redeployment.
Lavrov repeated the request that NATO not expand to the east
On January 14, Lavrov stated that Russia wants the security dispute in Europe to be resolved, with mutual respect and a balance of interests. A Russian official reiterated Moscow's demand that NATO not expand eastward, despite the military alliance rejecting the request.
Moscow's demands that NATO not expand or deploy forces to Ukraine and other former Soviet nations were described by the Russian foreign minister as "key" to the progress of diplomatic efforts to calm tensions over Ukraine.
He stated that the deployment of NATO forces and weapons near the Russian borders represents a security challenge that must be resolved immediately.
"We have run out of patience," Lavrov said at a press conference.
Lavrov said Russia expects Washington and NATO to provide a written response to its demands next week.
Moscow has various options to respond if the West rejects Russia's security proposals, he said.
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