NATO Ministers To Approve Greater Presence Along Eastern Flank
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said defense ministers are expected to approve plans this week to bolster the alliance along its eastern flank.
Speaking on February 10 ahead of the ministers’ two-day talks in Brussels, Stoltenberg said that beefing up NATO's presence in Poland and other allies close to Russia "will send a clear signal."
"NATO will respond as one to any aggression against any ally," he added.
Measures being considered include stockpiling military equipment, building new infrastructure, and greater and more frequent "forward presence of multinational forces."
This deployment, which sources say may involve thousands of troops on rotation, is part of plans drawn up by NATO largely in response to the Ukraine crisis and Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.
With reporting by AP, AFP, and dpa
An excerpt:
THERE’S BEEN much speculation in diplomatic circles that Vladimir Putin is ready to strike a deal ending the conflict he initiated in Ukraine, so as to free the stricken Russian economy from Western sanctions. Mr. Putin raised eyebrows last month by appointing two close associates to negotiate the implementation of a stalled peace settlement, including one dedicated to a new U.S.-Russia channel. However, it is not clear whether the Kremlin is genuinely ready to compromise or merely trying to split Western governments and shift blame for the diplomatic impasse to Ukraine. Mr. Putin needs to be tested, but, so far, European governments and the Obama administration are not doing what is needed to put him on the spot.
Here is today's map of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, according to the National Security and Defense Council (CLICK TO ENLARGE):
