Moscow security conference highlights rift between Russia, NATO

MOSCOW, April 27 (Xinhua) — Russia concentrated its fire on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and blasted the military bloc for being a trouble maker during the Sixth Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS) that ended Thursday.

At the two-day event, Russia’s top military officials said NATO’s military expansion in Europe and interference in Middle Eastern affairs will only undermine security and stability there.

As a de facto response to the West-dominated Munich Security Conference, the annual MCIS serves as an opportunity for Russia and its partners to air their positions on global and regional issues and lash back over various Western accusations.

The MCIS this year was held at a time when Russia and the United States failed to mend their ties as many had expected after U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January.