Russia's Vladimir Putin Confirms Military Movement in Response to NATO, US in 'Provoking' New Cold War

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims Russia may be provoked into a new Cold War by the West. In an interview with a German reporter, Mr Putin declared Russia was forced to respond when two rounds of NATO expansion in eastern and central Europe had created significant "game changers" in the geopolitics.

German channel ARD recorded the airing of the interview last week in Vladivostok, according to The Guardian. Mr Putin's statements followed the Russian government's expulsion of diplomats from Poland and Germany. A Latvian diplomat was also deported due to alleged spying. When the Russian leader was asked in the interview if whether notable increase in Russian military movement near Western countries may lead to a new Cold War, Mr Putin replied that recent NATO actions had left Russia no choice but to respond.

Mr Putin explained that Moscow had resumed sending Russian planes for strategic flights abroad years ago in response to the U.S. nuclear bomber flights near Russian airspace even after the Cold War. He said the U.S. and NATO have several military bases all over the world including in areas near Russia. Mr Putin added that the number of bases has been growing. He mentioned that the West had decided to deploy special operations forces close to Russia's borders.

He has confirmed in the interview that Russia was indeed conducting flight exercises and deploying ships. The Russian leader was earlier accused of fanning the flames of Cold War by Western leaders. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott recently told Mr Putin at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing that Russia should stop bringing back the "lost glories of tsarism" of the former Soviet Union.

Previous reports indicated that U.S. President Barack Obama told late-night talk show host Jay Leno that Russia often return to "Cold War thinking." Last November 17, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a speech in Australia that the sanctions against Russia will remain as long as needed. She warned of Russia's growing influence in eastern Europe and declared the country should be prevented from tearing Europe and the U.S. apart.

In his interview with ARD, Mr Putin tried to dodge the question about Moscow being the alleged supplier of weapons to separatists in Ukraine. However, consulting group Armament Research Services released a report last November 17 revealing findings that suggest that the rebels had "very likely" received weapons from Russia. The ARES report said pro-Russian separatists received some support from "one or more external parties" but admitted the most significant source of weapons came from domestic suppliers.