EU explains upcoming military exercises as a reaction to Russian actions

The military exercises of the EU's rapid deployment force, which will begin on November 25 in Germany, are related to Russia's actions in Ukraine, Peter Stano, a spokesman for the EU's foreign policy service, explained to Izvestia.

"In light of the deteriorating security situation in and around Europe, exacerbated by Russia's violations of the UN Charter and international law, the EU is strengthening its capacity to be able to respond to crises that pose a direct threat to the community and its citizens. All decisions in this area, including the activation of rapid deployment force capabilities, are and will be taken unanimously by EU member states," he said.

Fifteen EU countries and more than 1.7 thousand soldiers will participate in the exercise. According to the idea of the EU authorities, the rapid deployment forces are designed to promptly respond to any crisis outside the borders of the community.

At the same time, during a recent telephone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Russian President Vladimir Putin recalled that the crisis was caused by NATO's aggressive policy and ignoring Russia's security interests.

Read more in Izvestia's exclusive story:

Put on alert: the EU linked its military exercises to Russia's actions