Russia reacting calmly to military drills conducted by NATO: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is reacting calmly to the recent large-scale military drills conducted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and wishes to continue dialogue on this matter. Putin told Russia Today TV that they are  trying not to conduct any large-scale exercises close to the borders of NATO member states but in general, that are reacting to this calmly.

The NATO held the Trident Juncture 2018 drills in Norway and



its surrounding seas from October 25 to November 7, the largest since the end of the Cold War.

The drills involved around 50,000 troops from the 29 NATO members and its partners Sweden and Finland, as well as about 250 aircraft, 65 vessels and up to 10,000 vehicles.

The president also said he supports the idea of establishing an all-European military force alternative to the North Atlantic Alliance.