Russia will react to a build-up of NATO naval forces in the Black Sea, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin cautioned on Tuesday, quoted by Russian news agencies, according to AFP. 

"The reaction will be calm without any hysteria. But there will of course be a reaction," Putin told journalists during a visit to Uzbekistan.

Putin on Tuesday also praised what he called the "common sense" shown by the European Union in its response to Russia`s conflict with ex-Soviet Georgia.

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"Thank God, common sense prevailed. We saw no extreme conclusions and proposals, and this is very good," Putin said in comments shown on NTV television. 

"We have a basis for continuing dialogue with our European partners."

AFP