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NATO Tanks to Be Deployed in Eastern Europe Over Ukrainian Crisis: Official

© REUTERS / Kacper PempelMembers of the U.S. 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division disembark from an Abrams tank during a military exercise with Poland's 1st Mechanized Battalion of the 7th Coastal Defence Brigade near Drawsko-Pomorskie November 13, 2014
Members of the U.S. 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division disembark from an Abrams tank during a military exercise with Poland's 1st Mechanized Battalion of the 7th Coastal Defence Brigade near Drawsko-Pomorskie November 13, 2014 - Sputnik International
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Director of NATO Information Office in Moscow Robert Pszczel stressed that possible deployment of US tanks in Eastern Europe would be one of responses toward Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Director of NATO Information Office in Moscow Robert Pszczel - Sputnik International
NATO Wants to Return to Path of Full-Fledged Partnership With Russia
MOSCOW, November 27 (Sputnik) – NATO's plans to deploy US tanks in Eastern Europe are connected with the situation in the east of Ukraine, the Director of NATO Information Office in Moscow Robert Pszczel told Sputnik Radio Thursday.

"If we are talking about Eastern Europe, this is one of NATO's responses toward Russia's actions [in Ukraine]," Pszczel said answering a question on whether the alliance has plans to deploy tanks in Eastern Europe, particularly in Latvia.

The representative added that NATO's presence in Eastern Europe may not be limited to just tanks, but could include airplanes and large-scale military drills.

The deployment of additional US military equipment, including tanks, to Europe is in line with the Operation Atlantic Resolve and is not connected with the geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and Eastern Europe as previously reported, a US Army spokesperson told Sputnik Wednesday. - Sputnik International
US Army Denies Deployment of Tanks to Europe Linked With Ukrainian Crisis
"If we are talking about the existence of NATO countries" military elements in Eastern Europe, it may involve airplanes, tanks as well as large-scale military exercises. All these measures have a defensive nature," Pszczel stated.

He also stressed that the alliance has no plans to make for the major deployment of troops on a regular basis.

"That is what is happening now, but it is not going to be happening on a regular basis," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, US Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Alayne Conway told Sputnik News Agency that the deployment of additional US military equipment, including tanks, to Europe is in line with Operation Atlantic Resolve and is unconnected to the geopolitical tensions in Ukraine.

US Operation Atlantic Resolve comprises all US efforts to support their NATO allies and partners in Europe.

Russia's relations with NATO deteriorated dramatically after the alliance accused Moscow of destabilizing the situation in conflict-torn Ukraine and condemned Crimea's reunification with Russia in March.

Over the past few months, NATO has been placing additional forces in Eastern Europe, explaining the measures with the need to ensure the security of its allies.

On April 1, the alliance ended all practical cooperation with Russia, only maintaining contacts at ambassadorial and higher levels.

Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over the increasing and excessive NATO military presence close to its borders.

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