NATO countries have placed forces on standby and sent ships and fighter jets to strengthen their defense in Eastern Europe against Russian military activities on Ukraine's borders, announced on Monday (January 24th). the Alliance in a press release.
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NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all Allies, including strengthening the eastern part of the Alliance.
We will always respond to any deterioration in our security environment, including by strengthening our collective defence
,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
France “ready to send troops to Romania”
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Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is preparing to deploy four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania to support NATO's longstanding air policing mission in the region
," the statement said. “
Spain is sending ships to join NATO naval forces and plans to send combat aircraft to Bulgaria
,” the statement added.
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France has declared itself ready to send troops to Romania under NATO command.
The Netherlands is sending two F-35 fighter jets to Bulgaria from April to support NATO air policing in the region, and is putting a ship and ground units on standby for the NATO Response Force. NATO
," the statement said.
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The United States has also clearly indicated that it plans to increase its military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance
," NATO said.
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Since the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, NATO has reinforced its presence in the eastern part of the alliance, notably with four multinational battle groups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland
", reminds NATO.
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These units, led by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and the United States respectively, are multinational and combat-ready,
" the Alliance said.
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Their presence clearly indicates that an attack against an Ally will be considered an attack against the whole Alliance
", warns NATO.
There were no NATO forces in the eastern part of the Alliance before 2014, the statement said.
