The behavior of Russia, blackmailing Central Europe, is a confrontation against the whole of NATO, said Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski

“The Alliance should reply by strengthening its military presence in the region,” Waszczykowski said ahead of a visit to Berlin – his second foreign destination since being appointed Foreign Minister.

“This is some kind of dilemma, because the Germans believe that the strengthening of security in Central Europe could be seen as confrontational toward Russia.

“We cannot agree with this approach in this case. We believe that this behavior by Russia, threatening, blackmailing Central Europe, is a confrontation against the whole of NATO, and NATO should respond to this behavior by strengthening the security of our region – our country – through its military presence here. We can argue, of course, on the nature of this presence and I think that there is a space for debate on the issue with Germany,” Waszczykowski said. (rg/rk)