MOSCOW: Since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, relations between Moscow and NATO have dramatically worsened. The Kremlin has threatened a range of responses if NATO moves more forces into Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia.

Mr Evgengy Volk, a political analyst, said: "I believe that at present, the relations between Russian and NATO are at the worst point since the end of the Cold War. I believe that during the Cold War, the relationship was actually sometimes better."

Since early March, NATO warships have participated in naval drills in the Black Sea. The US has also delivered over 120 armoured units, including tanks, to Latvia in March.

But according to the NATO's Secretary-General, Russian military flights close to alliance members' airspace in Europe were intercepted more than 400 times last year.

In mid-December last year, a Russian military jet with its location determining transponders switched off nearly collided with a passenger plane over Sweden.

"I think that the reality is that when youre flying military aircraft around Europe with the transponders turned off, theres always a danger of another black swan event," said political analyst Chris Weafer. "So long as these exercises are continuing, theres always the potential for another accident that can also negatively impact the situation.

Earlier in March, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Northern Fleet onto full combat alert in a 'snap readiness exercise' in the Arctic as the US and several Eastern European NATO countries conducted a series of military exercises near Russia's border.

Russia has been spending more money on its military and has been boosting military capabilities which were weakened during the 1990s. When Vladimir Putin became president in 2000, Russia spent more than US$9 billion on its military. This has since risen 10 times and is likely to increase again this year despite a sluggish economy.

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New low in Russia-NATO relations: Analysts