Moscow, June 17 (RHC)-- Russia’s ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has condemned the Western military alliance’s plans to deploy four battalions close to Russian borders, arguing that the moves will destabilize Europe.

Alexander Grushko said on that NATO’s decision “directly infringes on" Russia's "legitimate security interests” and “won’t be left unanswered.”  Grushko’s comments came just after defense ministers from NATO member states reached a consensus on the deployment of four multinational battalions on a rotational basis to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

The senior military figures also held discussions on the establishment of a Romanian-led multinational “framework brigade” of ground troops as part of NATO's expansionist policies close to Russia's borders.

Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov, the head of the defense committee of Russia's State Duma (the lower house of parliament), stated on Tuesday that NATO deployments will invoke countermeasures.  He further noted that the increasing NATO military buildup on Russia’s borders is alarming.

He added that the battalions are being deployed as a beachhead for preparing the infrastructure for military activity against Russia.  Diplomatic sources say the four battalions are likely to number 2,500-3,000 troops combined with a small force designed to act as a tripwire.

The deployment, which is slated to be formally authorized during a summit in the Polish capital city of Warsaw next month, will be led by the United States, Germany, Britain, and possibly Canada.