Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have reinforced their military presence in eastern Europe amid escalating tensions in Ukraine with a possible attack from Russia.
- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the additional forces, saying the group will take “all necessary measures” for it to protect and defend its allies. This includes magnifying its alliance in the eastern area.
- Stoltenberg added that NATO will “always” respond to any deterioration of its security environment, which includes the reinforcement of the group’s collective defense.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov blamed the west for escalating tensions, citing the additional forces and the publication of “fake” claims, which report that the country is plotting two regime plots in Ukraine.
- The United States is expected to release this week a draft proposal to curb the eastward expansion of NATO, scale back the forces it sends to eastern European countries, and commit not to admit Ukraine.
Russia has sent out over 106,000 troops within its border with Ukraine in the past months, driving concerns of an invasion.
Source: Financial Times
