NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday the alliance is looking to step up efforts to strengthen its eastern flank, as he warned the threat from Russia had become the “new normal in Europe”.
“Moscow has made it clear that it is prepared to contest the fundamental principles that have underpinned our security for decades and to do so by using force. I regret to say that this is the new normal in Europe,” Stoltenberg said after a meeting of NATO defence ministers.
“Today, ministers decided to develop options to further strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence, including to consider establishing new NATO battle groups in central and south-eastern Europe,” he said.
He added that “NATO military commanders will now work on the details and report back within weeks”.
His comments came as Russia massed forces on Ukraine’s borders in a muscular show of military hardware that the West fears is a precursor to an invasion.
Moscow says many of its troops are there for exercises, and that some were being pulled back because drills have been completed.
