NATO exercises in Ukraine only provoke the aggravation of situation, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha said Sept. 22.
He made the remarks during a press conference held at the Russia Today news channel, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.
"I see the exercises held in Ukraine as something that provokes only the aggravation of situation," Bordyuzha said. "I think that holding drills in a state, which is actually in civil war, when the fire is not completely ceased, is nothing but an attempt to push the state, or one of the conflict sides, to take some actions."
International military drills dubbed the Rapid Trident 2014 were launched last week in Ukraine's Lviv Province.
Soldiers from 15 countries are taking part in the exercises.
The drills will last two weeks, according to Ukraine's Defence Ministry.
Nearly 700 weapons and over 50 military cars and combat vehicles will be used during the exercises.
Earlier, Ukraine hosted the 'Sea Breeze 2014' exercises, involving about 2,000 soldiers from various countries, including Canada, France, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Turkey and Romania.