NATO examines the strengthening of anti -aircraft and anti -missile defense systems in the eastern wing of the Alliance in a move that is estimated to cause Moscow’s strong reaction.

According to Bloomberg information, NATO member states are considering for the first time the possibility of combining the alliance’s existing ballistic defense with other integrated anti-aircraft defense systems. This integration will aim to cover a wider range of threats, which indirectly makes it deterrent to Russia, according to the same sources.

Moscow has long expressed its strong opposition to the development of NATO anti -missile systems, mainly in Poland and Romania, which NATO insists that they target distant threats such as those from Iran.

However, the combination of ballistic anti -missile defense with the integrated alliance system will be directed in the future against any threat, which suggests that it will mainly act as a deterrent to Russia, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

NATO is in the process of strengthening its defense against Russian aggression, more than three years after President Vladimir Putin ordered a full -scale invasion of Ukraine. The alliance of 32 members has just adopted the most ambitious equipment targets since the Cold War.

Consultations on the integration of defense systems are expected to be completed until the Hague alliance summit on June 24-25, although they may continue afterwards, the same sources say.

The initiative is part of a broader debate on how to strengthen the Eastern wing of NATO. However, there are doubts about how such a move will affect the peace efforts in Ukraine and whether the United States will support it, one person said.

Russia is sure to oppose the decision. The Kremlin requires NATO to withdraw its forces from Eastern Europe as part of its maximalist demands for the end of the war in Ukraine.

NATO ballistic systems, which are mainly of American origin, “are clearly needed to upgrade to deal with the latest threats, which no longer come from Iran, as was the case when they were implemented,” Iulia Joja, director of the Middle East Program, told Bloomberg.

“The framework is extremely unstable and this should be included in NATO’s priorities,” he added.

NATO’s press office refused to comment, but referred to previous statements by Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Rutte has expressed concern about the growing military cooperation between Russia, Iran and North Korea, describing this development as “alarming” in a speech at the Conference on Integrated Anti -aircraft and Anti -Seamal Defense in Riga earlier this month.

“We have seen a growing number of violations of the airspace of Russian missiles and unmanned aircraft, especially here, in our eastern wing,” Rutte said. “Iran and North Korea continue to develop, test and evolve their rocket programs. And supply Russia with rockets. “

NATO’s most recent policy on integrated anti -aircraft and anti -missile defense, agreed by defense ministers in February, also describes Russia as “the most significant and immediate threat to the security of allies”.