Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

US Ready to Add Capabilities to Deter Russia in Europe: Mattis

US Ready to Add Capabilities to  Deter Russia in Europe: Mattis

VILNIUS - Pentagon chief Jim Mattis on Wednesday said the United States and NATO are prepared to deploy any capabilities necessary to help beef up air defence systems in the Baltic region.
Mattis's remarks come amid heightened tensions with Russia, which is preparing for massive military exercises in its western military region in September, and has deployed a missile system in neighbouring Kaliningrad.
"We will deploy whatever capability is necessary here," Mattis said when asked about regional air defences.
Two US defence officials earlier said the United States was considering sending a Patriot missile battery to the Baltic region for NATO air defence exercises this summer, though they stressed the move would only be temporary.
Moscow last year deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles into its Kaliningrad exclave, which borders Lithuania and Poland, rattling the NATO members.
Mattis blasted such moves.
"Any buildup of Russian combat power in an area where they know, and we all know, they are not threatened by anything that we are doing ... is simply destabilising," Mattis said at a press conference with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite. (AFP)