NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that the military the alliance would take steps to strengthen son eastern flank after declaring the menace Russian”new Ordinary in Europe”
“Moscow has made this clear that he is ready to challenge the fundamental principles that underpin our security for decades and to do so in using force. I regret to say that this is the new Ordinary in Europe,” Stoltenberg said after a meeting of NATO defense ministers.
“Today ministers decided to develop options further strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence, including by considering establishing new NATO battle groups in central and south-eastern Europe,” he said.
He added that “NATO military commanders will now work on details and report back in a few weeks.”
His comments came as Russia massed its forces on The borders of Ukraine in a muscular show of military material that the West fears is a precursor to a invasion.
Moscow says many of his troops are there for exercises, and that some were drawn back because the exercises are over.
But Stoltenberg said: “So far we don’t see any sign of de-escalation on floor; no withdrawal of troops or equipment. This can of change of course However, what we see today is that Russia maintains a huge invasion force Ready to attack with high-end capabilities from Crimea to Belarus. »
NATO allies have already rushed to reinforce the eastern flank of the alliance with thousands of troops and equipment as fears skyrocket Moscow could be on the verge of invading son pro-Western neighbour, Ukraine.
The United States said it was temporarily deploying about 4,700 soldiers to Poland, a member of the European Union and NATO in response to Russian troops build-up around Ukraine.
NATO – revitalized by the latest crisis after son catastrophic departure from Afghanistan – seeks to reassure nervous eastern allies in the longest term.
The alliance plans to deploy new battle groups in Romania and Bulgaria on the Black Sea, while Hungary and Slovakia have also been mentioned.
France has offered to lead the new deployment in Romania.
Diplomats say NATO is also watch strengthen battle groups already in the Baltic and Poland – currently numbering about 5,000 men in total – which have been deployed in 2017 in response to seizure from Russia of Crimea.
