NATO Plans Permanent Force in Eastern Europe to Counter Russia

For the first time NATO is getting ready to deploy a force in Eastern Europe to deter any aggressive attempts by Russia in the region, the alliance's secretary general said Monday.

"The Readiness Action Plan will ensure that we have the right forces and the right equipment in the right place, at the right time," Anders Fogh Rasmussen said, reports the Associated Press. "Not because NATO wants to attack anyone. But because the dangers and the threats are more present and more visible. And we will do what it takes to defend our allies."

A summit meeting of  NATO in Wales later in the week will deliberate over what actions to take against Russia and the long term implications of the situation in Ukraine on Europe.

Rasmussen said in a press meet that the member nations will boost Ukraine's security, "modernise" its armed forces and help the country counter the threat from Russia, reports the Guardian.

The plan is to station several thousand troops contributed by the 28 member nations on a rotation basis. The troops will be backed by air and naval support, all ready to be deployed at short notice, Rasmussen said at the conference. Asked if there would be permanent force stationed at one of he agreed bases, Rsmussen said, "The brief answer is yes. To prevent misunderstanding I use the phrase 'for as long as necessary'. Our eastern allies will be satisfied when they see what is actually in the readiness action plan."

Poland and three other Baltic states have been clamoring for a more active and aggressive role by NATO members but some members are not so keen. France, Italy and Spain do not want such a move and Germany is still sitting on the fence wary of upsetting a friend, Russia, reports the Guardian.