NATO's plan to beef up its military presence near Russia's borders endangers security and stability in Europe, Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova said in a news conference Wednesday, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported.
"We do not understand the reason for such an action. We assume that NATO's [planned action] threatens Russia and also endangers security and stability in Europe," Zakharova said.
NATO defense ministers gathered in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss additional military build-up in the Baltic countries and in central and southern Europe, the Interfax news agency reported.
"We are extensively increasing our presence and the readiness of our forces," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, Interfax reported.