PROVIDED BY CNNNEXT.COM
Published on Jun 21, 2015
The United States is trying to encircle Russia by pushing NATO right up to the country’s borders as well as establishing American military bases throughout Central Asia, says a political commentator.
“When we look at what the United States has done as far as not only pushing NATO right up to Russia’s borders essentially, but also the proliferation of American military bases throughout Central Asia, we see an effort being made by the United States to essentially encircle Russia,” said Keith Preston, author and journalist in Virginia.
He made the remarks in a phone interview with Press TV on Friday, while commenting on a report that anticipated a major conflict could break out between the US and Russia if the two nuclear powers continue with their rhetoric and actions.
The Pentagon has announced it is ready to store heavy military equipment in East Europe to counter “Russian aggression” in the wake of the crisis in Ukraine.
The US has already sent B-2 and B-52 nuclear-capable bombers, F-15Cs and A-10 attack planes as well as Army and Navy assets to Europe for a show of force, according to CNN.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin also declared that Moscow would add more than 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles, able to overcome even the most advanced anti-missile systems, to the make-up of the Russian nuclear arsenal this year.
Russia has not acted aggressively against Europe and certainly Russia has not threatened the United States,” Preston noted.
“Instead what we have seen is an effort by the United States, through NATO and its proliferation of military bases in Central Asia, to try to encircle Russia for whatever reason.”
Relations between Washington and Moscow have been strained over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
The US accuses Russia of destabilizing Ukraine by supporting pro-Russia forces in the eastern regions.
The Kremlin, however, denies the allegations.
Washington has so far bolstered the Ukrainian military through non-lethal aid and training.
It has also imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia in coordination with European partners.
Congress is pressing the White House to provide lethal aid to Ukraine.
