NATO chief sounds alarm over Russian buildup

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attends a press conference after the NATO military demonstration in Zaragoza, Spain, Wednesday Nov. 4, 2015. NATO is putting on its most fearsome display of military might in over a decade with soldiers, ships and planes meant to hone and test its abilities as well as send an unequivocal sign to Russia and other real or potential foes. For three weeks which started Oct. 21, more than 36,000 personnel from all 28 NATO allies and eight partner nations, 160 aircraft and 60 ships will be taking part in exercises across a wide swath of southern Europe from Portugal to Italy. (AP Photo/Abraham Caro Marin) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attends a press conference after the NATO military demonstration in Zaragoza, Spain, Wednesday Nov. 4, 2015. NATO is putting on its most fearsome display of military might in over a decade with soldiers, ships and planes meant to hone and test its abilities as well as send an unequivocal sign to Russia and other real or potential foes. For three weeks which started Oct. 21, more than 36,000 personnel from all 28 NATO allies and eight partner nations, 160 aircraft and 60 ships will be taking part in exercises across a wide swath of southern Europe from Portugal to Italy. (AP Photo/Abraham Caro Marin)

By Associated Press November 5, 2015 2 min read

TROIA, Portugal (AP) – NATO’s secretary-general sounded the alarm Thursday over the build-up of Russian military forces from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean and called on the U.S.-led alliance to come up with a response.

Jens Stoltenberg said the Russians have concentrated military forces in Kaliningrad, the Black Sea and the eastern Mediterranean, where they are assisting beleaguered Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Speaking at a news conference during NATO war games in Portugal, Stoltenberg said experts believe the Russian build-ups could lead to Moscow’s ability to limit the access of the United States and its allies to certain regions.

“We have to be sure that we are able to overcome these capabilities, so we can reinforce, so we can move and we can deploy forces if needed,” Stoltenberg said. The NATO chief said this challenge was now “the question on our agenda.”

Earlier in the day, NATO put some of its naval and special forces capabilities on display at this naval base south of Lisbon, and also showcased the ability of armed forces from its 28 member nations to work together.