AKIPRESS.COM - NATO has accused Russia of stoking tensions in Europe after Moscow deployed anti-ship missiles in Kaliningrad – which borders both Lithuania and Poland, reports Express.

Kaliningrad is Russia's westernmost region and the decision to militarize the area is likely to escalate tensions between the Kremlin and NATO.

In a statement, the alliance said Russia's latest move would do nothing to "lower tensions or restore predictability to our relations."

This statement is the latest in a string of hostile communications between Russia and the West and it came just hours after John Kirby, U.S. State Department spokesman, slammed Russia's plans to deploy its S-400 air missile defense system as "destabilizing to European security."

In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the global treaty.

He said: “Russia does what it has to do.

"It has every sovereign right to take necessary measures throughout the territory of the Russian Federation,” while describing NATO as an "aggressive" military alliance.

On Monday, NATO's Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, insisted Vladimir Putin is "not the enemy".

Speaking in Istanbul, Johnstone said: "Russia can develop and deploy its fleet to any areas, but NATO does not intend to stop it.

“Russia is not our enemy and we have no desire to get involved in a new Cold War.

“NATO is trying to understand Russia and not to hurt its own interests at the same time.

“Some Baltic states, which are NATO members, are meticulous about their territorial waters.”

Washington's own land-based missile defense system, located in Romania, was activated in May, and another stage is due to come into operation on Poland in 2018.