"Obviously, the countries of the so-called collective West are trying, so far without the direct involvement of their armed forces, to intervene more actively in the conflict in Ukraine, hoping to change its course by increasing the degree of escalation. The use of the territory of the alliance's member countries closest to Russia, including Romania, is considered as one of the instruments of such interference. For this reason, the militarization of Romania is in full swing," Lipaev told Sputnik.
Elements of the US missile defense system are deployed in Romania, military bases expand and the number of NATO soldiers increases. The Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase is located less than 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) from the Russian city of Sevastopol, Lipaev added.