Russia Says European Security Is Hostage to US Policies

"Regrettably, the European people’s safety and European peace have become hostage to the destructive policies pursued by Washington and a small but highly aggressive group of Russia-haters in the European Union," he stated, according to TASS.

Lavrov pointed out that NATO continued its military build-up near Russia’s borders.

"Apart from Macedonia and other Balkan countries, the North Atlantic Alliance is still determined to absorb Ukraine and Georgia," the Russian top diplomat noted.

"Washington’s withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, unanimously supported by NATO members although the situation is controversial, does not add optimism. Such actions raise military and political tensions, particularly in our common neighborhood," Lavrov emphasized.

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