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NATO, Georgia Complete Monthlong Military Exercises
By JOHN P. CONNOLLY, The Bulletin
Military exercises between Georgia and Ukraine, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that were opposed by Russia are winding down.
Georgian and Ukrainian troops cooperated with NATO in monthlong military exercises that have angered Russia. Ukraine and Georgia have both expressed a desire to join NATO, and that desire was a factor in last summer’s war between Georgia and Russia. Russia characterized Georgia’s incursion into the republic of South Ossetia as an attempt to impress NATO leadership into granting it membership.
Russia’s relationship has been strained since last year’s war, as Russia has recognized South Ossetia’s claims of independence and placed a sizeable military force there.
A NATO press officer, Spanish Lt. Col. Luis Aparicio, said the military exercises would help prepare the participants for NATO membership, but added that “it’s not only for this purpose.”
The exercises teach how to neutralize suicide bombers and how to capture critical suspects alive.
“It’s for interoperability,” said Lt. Col. Aparicio. “We are showing partner countries how NATO reacts in crisis-response. Otherwise, it would be impossible to work together.”
Russia has complained about the NATO exercises, saying they would encourage a belligerent attitude in Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
NATO has stressed that Russia has no veto on membership for Georgia or Ukraine, but the alliance has been wary to give an estimate on a timeframe for approving membership. Nevertheless, there have been attempts to begin cooperation between NATO and Russia following last year’s break over Georgia.
A NATO deputy spokeswoman said the alliance’s member nations and Russia’s envoy to the alliance want to hold a meeting of foreign ministers “as soon as logistically possible.”
The ambassadors met last week for the NATO-Russia Council, a panel intended to improve relations between Moscow and the alliance.
Russia’s NATO envoy described the meeting as constructive and forward-looking.
The end date for the military training exercises is Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
John P. Connolly can be reached at jconnolly@thebulletin.us
Georgian and Ukrainian troops cooperated with NATO in monthlong military exercises that have angered Russia. Ukraine and Georgia have both expressed a desire to join NATO, and that desire was a factor in last summer’s war between Georgia and Russia. Russia characterized Georgia’s incursion into the republic of South Ossetia as an attempt to impress NATO leadership into granting it membership.
Russia’s relationship has been strained since last year’s war, as Russia has recognized South Ossetia’s claims of independence and placed a sizeable military force there.
A NATO press officer, Spanish Lt. Col. Luis Aparicio, said the military exercises would help prepare the participants for NATO membership, but added that “it’s not only for this purpose.”
The exercises teach how to neutralize suicide bombers and how to capture critical suspects alive.
“It’s for interoperability,” said Lt. Col. Aparicio. “We are showing partner countries how NATO reacts in crisis-response. Otherwise, it would be impossible to work together.”
Russia has complained about the NATO exercises, saying they would encourage a belligerent attitude in Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
NATO has stressed that Russia has no veto on membership for Georgia or Ukraine, but the alliance has been wary to give an estimate on a timeframe for approving membership. Nevertheless, there have been attempts to begin cooperation between NATO and Russia following last year’s break over Georgia.
A NATO deputy spokeswoman said the alliance’s member nations and Russia’s envoy to the alliance want to hold a meeting of foreign ministers “as soon as logistically possible.”
The ambassadors met last week for the NATO-Russia Council, a panel intended to improve relations between Moscow and the alliance.
Russia’s NATO envoy described the meeting as constructive and forward-looking.
The end date for the military training exercises is Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
John P. Connolly can be reached at jconnolly@thebulletin.us
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