15.12.2021, Moscow.
Russian political scientist, historian, expert on the problems of the Middle East and Central Asia, director of the Center for the Middle East and Central Asia Studies Semyon Baghdasarov criticized Russia’s position on the situation with NATO presence at the country’s southern borders in his Telegram on December 15.
He noted that during the press conference of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev with NATO Secretary General, the latter said that Baku had a high level of interaction with NATO. He cited the Azerbaijani President’s words that several joint military exercises “with one of the most active and leading countries of NATO – Turkey” were held only this year, and this “serves the cause of peace and stability in the region.”
Baghdasarov recalled Russia’s “red lines” with regard to the Black Sea region.
“We are concerned about the military and technical cooperation between Turkey and Ukraine, the deployment of NATO structures near our borders, the ships in the Black Sea. These are our red lines,” the expert wrote.
According to him, the situation is no less dangerous in the South Caucasus where NATO presence has already become a reality.
“And what is happening with the southern borders? Are we happy that NATO has infiltrated into the South Caucasus with Turkey’s help, and that the building of military bases of our enemy near the borders of Dagestan doesn’t seem fantastic?” Baghdasarov posed the question.
Russia is currently deepening its cooperation with Turkey, including cooperation in the military-technical sphere, as well as in the issues of regional stability in Transcaucasia, North Africa and Syria. However, despite Ankara’s strained relations with NATO, it has not withdrawn from the alliance. At the same time, Turkey’s closest ally, Azerbaijan, is actively cooperating with NATO.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
