Andrzej Duda's first visit to the White House included one-on-one talks with Donald Trump on security in central Europe and on strengthening the U.S. military presence in the region, which is worried about intensifying Russian military activity. Poland has been seeking for increase in the number of U.S. troops stationed in its territory since early 2017.
By the way, the Eastern European region has been actively explored by NATO countries for the last few years. Acting for "repulsing of military aggression from Russia," the Alliance has been allocating weapons and military equipment in Poland and the Baltic States.
Under this slogan NATO leaders have doubled the number of military exercises in the current year compared to the 2017.
Thus, NATO has already organized about 100 exercises: Saber Strike-2018, a large-scale US-led exercise involving 18,000 soldiers from 19 NATO members and partner nations, kicked off on June 3 to last till June 15. The scope of the exercise has been steadily expanding every year. It was 11,000 troops in 2017, 9,000 in 2016, 6,000 in 2015, 4,700 in 2014, and 2,000 in 2013 -- that's how a relatively small drill turned into the regular deployment of substantial force in the proximity to Russia's borders.
It's remarkable that the intensity and scope of such large-scale exercises are expected to be not less strained in the second half of 2018 -- August-September announced large-scale maneuvers in Poland named "Anakonda-2018".
It's known that "Anakonda-2018" military exercise will be held in Poland and more than 100 thousand soldiers are expected to participate. NATO member countries and the NATO partner countries will be participating in the exercise along with Poland. Poland is deploying around 20,000 soldiers for this exercise. Other than this, there will be 5000 armoured vehicles, tanks, heavy artillery, 150 fighter jets and 45 warships participating in the exercise.
These maneuvers promise to become the most ambitious since the end of the Cold War. Exercise tasks are responding to the emerging military threats, including conventional and hybrid warfare. The general plan of exercise concedes preemptive strikes and actions aimed against "Russian aggression".
Unfortunately, the presence of NATO forces alongside Russia's borders is only increasing. The situation is the most dangerous since the Cold War. This fact raises the question -- if it's not an open preparation for war than what is it?
It's well known from world history that diplomacy is the best instrument for resolving problems between countries and alliances. It's well understood in Moscow -- Russian authorities always try to discuss and resolve problematic situations concerning NATO-Russia relations. But there's no such an understanding in Washington.
The Alliance gives preference to the policy of provocations and sanctions. Using the Baltic states as provocateurs and typifying the territory of these countries as foothold for anti-Russian military campaign, US and NATO risks to start a war.
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