25 March 2016, 12:39 GMT
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The NATO Eurofighters kept a distance of two kilometers (just over one mile) from the defense minister’s aircraft, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported from the minister’s plane. The Russian defense minister’s plane has already arrived at its destination.
Shoigu arrived in Russia’s western exclave of Kaliningrad to inspect the reconstruction of the Chkalovsk Military Airfield outside the city of Kaliningrad.
Russia's relations with the NATO deteriorated in 2014 over the Ukrainian crisis, with the alliance cutting off all practical civilian and military cooperation under the NATO-Russia Council. The United States, European Union and their allies accused Russia of meddling in Ukrainian internal affairs.
Moscow has repeatedly refuted the allegations, noting that NATO amassing troops and military equipment on Russia’s borders constitute provocative acts contrary to previous agreements and can destabilize the region.
