NATO will deploy 4,000 troops near the Russian border.

The United States and its NATO allies are preparing to deploy four battalions—approximately 4,000 soldiers—to Poland and the Baltic states, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources in Western countries.

NATO soldiers conduct military exercises.

This move will be implemented as part of NATO's efforts to strengthen the protection of its border with Russia "in the context of Moscow's increased military activity."

Most likely, the two battalions mentioned above will be sent by the United States, while Germany and the United Kingdom will each send one battalion. A plan for a joint force deployment is being drawn up, as confirmed by US Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Wark during his visit to Brussels. According to him, the expansion of Western troops is in response to Russian military activity toward the Baltic states.

"Russia is conducting numerous surprise military exercises right on the border, involving a large number of military personnel," Deputy Minister Wark commented. "In our view, this can be called an extremely provocative act."

At the same time, as the newspaper noted, Russian political circles have repeatedly stated that the increase in the number of military groups and the frequency of exercises is a response to NATO's military expansion and its aggressive stance in relations with Moscow.

According to Sputniknews