Nato defence ministers on Tuesday approved sending battalions to the three Baltic states and Poland just weeks before a landmark summit in Warsaw endorses a major build-up to counter a more assertive Russia. Russia's 2014 intervention in Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea stung Nato out of its post-Cold War complacency and into a major revamp to boost its readiness and resources to meet a host of new security challenges.
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said ministers agreed to deploy four "robust" multinational battalions to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland - all once ruled from Moscow and deeply suspicious of Russian intentions. Additionally, "we will take tailored measures to enhance our defence and deterrence in the Black Sea region," Stoltenberg said, citing a Romanian offer to host a similar unit. "This sends a clear message. If any of our allies is attacked, the whole alliance will respond as one," he said. Stoltenberg stressed Nato did not seek confrontation with Russia and wanted a constructive dialogue but it would defend the 28 allies against any threat.