Russia's Foreign Ministry: NATO drills in Georgia bolster military sentiments

The NATO drills in Georgia result in bolstering military sentiments, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the briefing.

"We cannot agree with the statements of the Georgian Defense Ministry that these drills are aimed at providing security in the Black Sea region," she noted. "Stability and security mean constructive dialogue, not helicopters and tanks," the diplomat stressed. "It is clear that their current task is to project power pressure, chiefly over South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia." These exercises result in "bolstering military sentiments and the escalation of tensions," Zakharova noted.

Moscow regrets that "Georgia’s neighbor countries were involved in these drills at various pretexts," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson concluded.

The joint drills of the 13 members and partners of NATO dubbed Noble Partner 2018 kicked off on August 1 at the Vaziani Military Base in Georgia. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, more than 3000 servicemen are taking part in these maneuvers. The scenario includes headquarters and field drills, field firing and the interaction between maneuver and combat elements.