NATO does not intend to deploy troops to Ukraine - NATO chief
15 June 2014, 18:44 -- NATO has no plans to deploy troops on Ukrainian soil, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Sunday. Rasmussen said that NATO intends to submit a package of measures to its member countries' foreign ministers for review at the end of this month. The package would include assistance to Ukraine in reforming the country's defense sector and modernizing its armed forces.
The NATO chief said the aid package would also include practical cooperation, allowing Ukraine, for example, to participate in NATO military exercises.
Rasmussen also did not rule out the possibility of an individual NATO member country taking part in military exercises on the Ukrainian territory.
Speaking about NATO's actions regarding the security in Europe, Rasmussen said the alliance had strengthened the protection of air space over the Baltic States, deployed NATO ships in the Baltic and Black Seas and held drills in the Baltic countries and Poland.
Rasmussen said NATO planned long-term measures in the context of Russia's Ukraine policy to guarantee the effective protection of NATO allies but said that he regrets this development as the base interests of Russia and NATO coincide and the best thing for both sides would be to maintain 'constructive cooperation.'
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