German minister blasts Putin’s ‘IRRATIONAL’ military build-up as NATO standoff continues – Express.co.uk

German troops are part of Nato forces which have been deployed across the region with a task force led by British soldiers set to watch the border in Estonia later in the year.

Now German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has said his nations armed forces would maintain a presence in Lithuania for as long as needed.

Mr Gabriel added: The military potential that the Russian Federation has built up here at the border is completely irrational in my view because there is zero threat emanating from these countries.

While the 1000-strong military force led by 400 Germans are set to be joined in the region by troops from the US, UK and Canada, they are still dwarfed by the huge Russian military buildup on the border.

GETTY

Ministry of Defence

1 of 6

But the Kremlin has fired back, claiming they were defending the Russian border from Nato aggression and continuing a sweeping program to update their armed forces.

After the German deployment in the region, Russian Foreign Minister Aleksey Meshkov claimed Natos actions gravely increase the risk of incidents.

He added: For the first time since World War Two we see German soldiers along our borders.

It comes as Sweden plans to reintroduce conscription next year for both men and women amid rising tensions with Vladimir Putin's Russia.

GETTY

As military activity increases in the Baltic region in the wake of Moscows annexation of Crimea in 2014, Sweden has struggled to find volunteers to fill its ranks.

Public broadcaster SR said the decision to bring back the draft comes after an official investigation found the military only recruited 2,500 troops annually despite needing 4,000.

Up to 4,000 people will be called up for military training in 2018 and 2019 from January 1.

Defence ministry spokeswoman Marinette Radebo said conscripts will be selected from 13,000 people born in 1999.

GETTY

GETTY

Ms Radebo told the BBC the decision to reintroduce conscription was sparked by the change in our neighbourhood... Russian military activity is one of the reasons".

After undertaking psychological and physical tests, the troops will serve for nine to 12 months with the long-term aim of encouraging them to join the military permanently or the reserves.

Local governments have also been urged to step up contingency planning for a future war.

View original post here:
German minister blasts Putin's 'IRRATIONAL' military build-up as NATO standoff continues - Express.co.uk