NATO set to expand military presence near Russia border
Iran Press TV
Thu Feb 5, 2015 2:8PM
NATO defense ministers have met at the bloc's headquarters in Brussels in a bid to agree on a plan to boost its military presence near Russia's western borders amid growing tensions in eastern Ukraine.
During the Thursday meeting, the top military officials of the alliance were expected to reach consensus on the enlargement of NATO's existing rapid reaction force in Eastern Europe from 13,000 troops to 30,000 and to improve the reaction capacity of their "spearhead" force of 5,000 soldiers.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg described the massive military measures as "defensive" and part of the alliance's reaction to the recent escalation of tensions in eastern Ukraine, accusing Russia of meddling in the crisis.
'It is a response to what we have seen from Russia over a period of time and it is in full accordance with our international obligations,' said Stoltenberg during a press briefing on Thursday.
He further confirmed that the military reinforcements have been NATO's largest collective defense measures since the end of the Cold War.
The NATO chief also indicated that the US-led alliance has virtually ended its cooperation with Moscow due to the crisis in Ukraine.
Moreover, the UK, France and Germany are due to announce on Thursday that they will be among the 'framework nations' that will take turns to command the new rapid reaction force, due to be set up over the next few years.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in the Ukrainian capital city of Kiev for a series of meetings with the embattled country's top officials in the wake of a pledge by US President Barack Obama to provide Ukraine with "defensive weapons."
The government in Kiev is reportedly optimistic that Kerry would unveil Washington's plan to send US military hardware to the country during the visit.
MFB/KA/SS
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