Russia will asses the "risks" presented by the expansion of the Mihail Kogalniceanu military air base in southeastern Romania, the country's Foreign Ministry told RIA Novosti, Paralel.Az reports.

The $2.7 billion expansion of the air base will make it the largest North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) military base in Europe, prompting the Russian Foreign Ministry to react by claiming that the expansion is aimed at "preparing the bloc's allies for a potential clash" with Russia. The ministry added that the expansion is "further proof that the North Atlantic bloc continues the unrestrained militarization of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region."

"We will monitor what is happening in Romania, assess emerging risks and take them into account during military planning," the ministry stressed.