US-NATO Talks of Building Capabilities in East Mostly Theater - Expert

MOSCOW, August 29 (RIA Novosti) - The public criticism of Russia by the United States and NATO discussions of increasing its Eastern front and its readiness capabilities are primarily theatre, a George Washington University professor of international affairs and expert in public attitudes toward war told RIA Novosti.

“I think a lot of that is theater,” Trevor Thrall said, commenting on US officials, vocally expressing criticism of Russia in the recent Ukraine crisis.

“I think they’re master-talkers. That’s all they do,” he said about NATO's recent discussion of rotational military deployments along the Russian border.

In recent days, NATO secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen has made strong statements ahead of the September NATO summit in Wales, largely accusing Russia of destabilizing Eastern Ukraine. Rasmussen publicly announced the plans for the alliance to discuss increased rotational deployments of NATO forces into the Baltic States and Eastern Europe to counter Russian capabilities and “be able to act swiftly in this completely new security environment in Europe."

"Actions are more important than words. Look for actions not words,” Thrall said explaining his certainty the United States and NATO were not intent on action, but only talk. “It’s just my general read on NATO over the decades..."

NATO previously considered moving its troops into “places where they are in danger” or the moving nuclear weapons. It remains to be seen whether the rotational movement of NATO troops on Russia’s western border, to be discussed at the Wales summit on September 4-5, will materialize into action, the professor said.