Jeremy Corbyn 'blasts BRITISH TROOPS for ratcheting up tensions' with Putin's Russia
JEREMY Corbyn has accused British troops stationed in Eastern Europe of escalating tensions between Russia and the West.
Corbyn has come under fire after his spokesman suggested he would not back Nato's collective defence
The Labour leader faced a backlash from his own MPs after his spokesman claimed he had “concerns” over the deployment of British troops in Estonia as part of a new Nato mission, designed to deter aggression from Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The spokesman also refused to confirm whether Corbyn would back a military response by Nato if Estonia came under attack.
What we don’t want to see is a ratcheting up of tensions between Russia and the West, as has been taking place
Under Article 5 of the Nato treaty, members of the alliance have a responsibility to come to another’s defence if they come under attack.
However, the Labour leader’s spokesman said: “It doesn’t define what that response should be... that can be a whole range of things.
“Jeremy has said repeatedly that he has lots of criticisms of the Russian government, both in relation to what has happened in the Middle East and domestically.”
Putin: NATO is pushing the world towards nuclear war
Theresa May also blasted Corbyn’s remarks.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “Nato is not seeking confrontation with Russia.
“We would like to pursue a relationship of cooperation with Russia, but we are also going to make sure we are standing up for our allies within Nato.”