NATO activates defense plans for Eastern Europe
Created: 02/24/2022Updated: 02/24/2022 12:43 p.m
The NATO countries come together for a special session.
© Daniel Naupold/dpa
All measures are described as "preventive, proportionate and non-escalating".
NATO Responds to Invasion of Ukraine.
BRUSSELS - In view of the Russian attack on Ukraine, NATO is activating defense plans for Eastern Europe.
The commander-in-chief of the NATO armed forces thus has far-reaching powers, for example to request and relocate troops.
The German press agency learned this from alliance circles.
A statement from the 30 member states said: "We have decided (...) to take additional steps to further strengthen deterrence and defense throughout the alliance." All measures are and will remain "preventive, proportionate and non-escalating". .
In view of the tensions with Russia, the NATO commander-in-chief in Europe had already drastically reduced the standby times for tens of thousands of alliance soldiers last week.
According to information from the German Press Agency from NATO circles, forces of the NRF rapid reaction force must now be able to be deployed within just 7 days instead of 30.
A so-called "Notice-to-Move" period of 30 instead of 45 days applies to other units.
A few weeks ago, the Commander-in-Chief had increased the “Notice-to-Move” deadline for the VJTF, the fastest reaction force.
This means that the associated soldiers currently have to be ready for a transfer to a crisis area within a maximum of five days.
The VJTF would be the first force to be deployed to the eastern flank.
The heads of state and government of the NATO countries will meet this Friday afternoon for a special session on Russia's war against Ukraine.
The deliberations will take place via video conference.
dpa
