NATO strengthens its defense system in the countries bordering Ukraine
Tanks being transported on military truck platforms as part of the arrival of additional British military troops and equipment at the NATO Battlegroup base in Tapa, Estonia, Friday, February 25, 2022. AP - Sergei Stepanov
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
NATO has begun to deploy elements of its Response Force to further strengthen its defense posture and be able to react quickly to any eventuality following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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"
The Ukrainian forces are fighting bravely and are able to inflict damage on the Russian forces that invade them
," said Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, after the organization's summit on Friday.
"
We are deploying for the first time the Reaction Force as part of collective defense to avoid overflows on Alliance territory
," he said.
Rapid deployment
The Collective Defense Response Force has 40,000 soldiers and its spearhead is a Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) of 8,000 combatants currently commanded by France.
It includes a multinational brigade and battalions supported by air and maritime units and special forces.
Some units may be ready to move within two to three days, NATO says.
A cyber attack against one of the 30 NATO countries can activate the collective defense of the allies, warned Jens Stoltenberg.
"
Russia has launched a total invasion of Ukraine with the stated objective of overthrowing the government by marching on Kiev
", he underlined, before adding: "
But the Kremlin's objectives are not limited to Ukraine
”.
“
Putin has demanded the withdrawal of Alliance forces from the territories of all countries that have joined since 1997
,” he recalled.
Prevention, through escalation
French President Emmanuel Macron, for his part, announced the decision to accelerate the deployment of several hundred French soldiers in Romania and to send a new contingent to Estonia as part of the Alliance's forward presence.
“
We are going to deploy around 500 men, with armored vehicles, combat vehicles, to provide support to Romania, but also to convey the message of strategic solidarity from all NATO members
”, specified Chief of Staff Thierry Burkhard
in an exclusive interview with RFI and France 24
.
The Pentagon has announced the dispatch of an armored brigade to Germany, which will bring the number of American soldiers deployed in Europe to nearly 100,000.
The UK is also ready to increase its military support for the Alliance, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said.
“
The measures we are taking are and remain preventive, proportionate and not constituting an escalation
,” the Alliance leaders insisted in their statement.
(
With
AFP)
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