Russia has declared it will take ‘all necessary measures’ against the US following the latest military posturing between the two.
Moscow has accused the US of intimidation by sailing a naval destroyer too close to its border with the Baltics.
In the latest move set to further inflame the situation, Russian ambassador to NATO, Alexander Grushko, said Moscow would not take such actions lightly.
Speaking after the first NATO meeting in nearly two years with US ambassador to NATO, Douglas Lute, Mr Grushko said: “This is about attempts to exercise military pressure on Russia.
“We will take all necessary measures, precautions, to compensate for these attempts to use military force.”
Tensions flared when Russian SU-24 attack planes flew dangerously close to guided-missile destroyer the USS Donald Cook last week.
Making numerous close-range passes over the impressive vessel, Mr Lute said it was on routine business in international waters near Poland when it was “harassed” by the jets.
Secretary of State John Kerry later said the Navy ship could have opened fire on the military planes under “rules of engagement”.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Grushko declared that there could be no thaw in relations between the two countries until the US-led alliance withdraws from Russia’s borders.
His comments come as the former superpower bolstered its submarine attack fleet, and ramped up underwater patrols of its borders.
The US Navy’s top commander in Europe, Admiral Mark Ferguson, said patrols around the coasts of Scandinavia, Scotland, the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic had increased by 50 per cent in the last year.
The NATO meeting with the two envoys also discussed Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region two years ago, and its continued support for separatist rebels in the east of the country.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said members rejected Mr Grushko’s account of events, which has seen around 9,000 people die since 2014.
Mr Stoltenberg said: “In the meeting, it was re-confirmed that we disagree on the facts, on the narrative and the responsibilities in and around Ukraine.
“Many allies disagree when Russia tries to portray this as a civil war.
“This is Russia destabilizing eastern Ukraine, providing support for the separatists, munitions, funding, equipment and also command and control.”
He stressed both sides needed more dialogue over security in Europe.
Russia continues to deny any direct involvement in Ukraine.
