NATO to install new units in Europe amid ‘competition with Russia’

Europe, News February 22, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO’s military chief in Europe Gen Sir Adrian Bradshaw said Friday that the NATO would begin building force integration units in each of the eastern states, which to support the alliance’s in a period of “constant competition with Russia”.

The alliance will shortly begin installation of “force integration units” in eastern European member states, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw confirmed on Friday.

He added that the units will accommodate the deployment of NATO forces if required.

Some Western countries and the Kiev government accuse Moscow of having a hand in the crisis in eastern Ukraine where pro-Russia forces are engaged in fierce battles with Ukrainian government troops. Russia denies the allegations.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said this week that NATO’s increased activity poses a threat to the Baltic countries.

His comments came after UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon warned Russian President Vladimir Putin against trying “to destabilize the Baltic States of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.”

Fallon also urged NATO to prepare to tackle what he called the aggression in whatever form it takes.

NATO has boosted its military presence in the Baltic states in recent months in response to the crisis in eastern Ukraine. Russia has express outrage over the move saying the deployment is a direct threat against Moscow.