Russian defense minister threatens to respond to US base deployment in Poland

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has criticized the plans of the Polish government to deploy a US division on the territory of Poland. Speaking at a joint meeting of Belarusian and Russian defense ministries in Minsk on 24 October, Shoigu said Russia would be forced to reciprocate, reports TASS.

The Russian minister said the deployment of a US division in Poland would not contribute to the stability and security in the region. "In these conditions, we are forced to take reciprocal measures and must be ready to neutralize possible military threats at all directions," he added.

According to earlier reports, Poland plans to allocate $1.5-2 billion for the deployment of one US armored division or an equally relevant military unit. Warsaw is ready to build all the necessary infrastructure, including firing grounds, barracks and houses for the families of servicemen and women, schools for their children, and hospitals.