Britain to offer major NATO deployment in Baltics, Nordics | News | DW

The UK is contemplating making a serious NATO deployment in response to Russia massing troops on the border with Ukraine, the federal government mentioned on Saturday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cited rising “Russian hostility” in direction of Ukraine as the explanation for the deployment.

What will we learn about deployment?

The UK is contemplating a proposal that doubles troop numbers in NATO’s Nordic and Baltic member nations and sending defensive weapons to Estonia, the prime minister’s workplace mentioned.

Boris Johnson spoke of ‘Russian hostility’ within the announcement

“This package deal would ship a transparent message to the Kremlin — we is not going to tolerate their destabilizing exercise, and we are going to all the time stand with our NATO allies within the face of Russian hostility,” Johnson mentioned in a press release.

“I’ve ordered our Armed Forces to organize to deploy throughout Europe subsequent week, making certain we’re capable of help our NATO allies,” he added.

Johnson mentioned if Russian President Vladimir Putin selected “bloodshed and destruction” in Ukraine, it could be a “tragedy for Europe.”

Particulars to be finalized subsequent week

Officers will finalize the main points of the provide in Brussels subsequent week after ministers talk about numerous choices on Monday.

Johnson will make a second journey to satisfy NATO member counterparts early subsequent month, his workplace mentioned.

Johnson is because of go to the area subsequent week and can converse to Putin over the telephone.

Britain’s overseas and protection ministers will even go to Moscow for talks with their Russian counterparts within the coming days.

“They are going to be requested to enhance relationships with President Putin’s authorities and encourage de-escalation,” Johnson’s workplace mentioned.

British Protection Secretary Ben Wallace can also be set to journey to satisfy with allies in Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia subsequent week.

sdi/sms (AFP, Reuters)