NATO will explain to Russia about new force deployment

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on July 8 that NATO leaders agreed to deploy a multinational force to the Baltic states and Poland, and tasked their ambassadors to explain the measure to Moscow next week.

NATO soldiers on duty. (Source: PA)

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Stoltenberg said the battalions would be strong and multinational. According to him, the deployment was to make clear that an attack on one ally would be considered an attack on all of NATO.

“In parallel with strengthening deterrence and defence, we continue to pursue a constructive dialogue with Russia. It cannot and should not be isolated... We will inform Russia of the decisions taken at the summit,” Stoltenberg said.

The four battalions deployed by NATO will be led by the US, Germany, Britain and Canada.

According to Mr. Stoltenberg, the presence of the battalions on the eastern flank will be maintained as long as necessary and is not time-limited. This measure is an element of the process of applying a more comprehensive NATO deterrence and defense capability due to the crisis in Ukraine.

According to the plan, four battalions in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland will each have a force of 800-1,200 people.

Previously, on July 7, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that Russia would not "leave without response" to NATO's plan to increase military activities on its eastern flank.

According to Ms. Zakharova, the main discussion of the upcoming meeting between Russia and NATO scheduled for July 13 will be about NATO's decisions to increase activities on the bloc's eastern flank and the consequences for all aspects of European security.

According to VIETNAM+