RAF jets intercept Russian bomber aircraft off Cornwall (UK)

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55. "Poland Asks Nato to Station 10,000 Troops On its Territory for Permanent Deployment"

Ukraine crisis: Poland asks Nato to station 10,000 troops on its territory
Nato is divided over demands from Poland and the Baltic states for a permanent deployment of the Alliance's troops to defend them from Russia

By Bruno Waterfield, Brussels and Tony Paterson in Berlin

7:03PM BST 01 Apr 2014
Britain has offered to send RAF Typhoon fighters to join Nato exercises over Poland and air defence patrols above the Baltic states. But Poland wants Nato forces to be permanently stationed on its territory. Mr Hague gave a cautious response, saying: "We certainly need to give additional reassurance and confidence to our Eastern allies. The UK has said we will contribute aircraft to Baltic air policing and there may be other measures we decide upon."

Nato is expected to make further announcements on the deployment of military "assets" in the coming weeks. This might include sending troops and warships to Eastern Europe and the Baltic.

America is expected to send another 600 personnel to Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase on the Black Sea coast of Romania and said it was also likely to send a warship to the Black Sea. However, Germany and other Nato members are wary of causing still more tension with Russia by sending forces to its frontiers.

"No, we don't need any Nato troops on the border with Russia," said Frans Timmermans, the Dutch foreign minister in response to the Polish proposal.

A Nato "restricted" document, seen by Germany's Der Spiegel, singles out Armenia, Azerbaijan and Moldova as three countries – all former Soviet republics – that might benefit from increased Western military support.

The seven-page document said they would be encouraged to participate in Nato's "Smart Defence" programme, which involves buying specific weapons and taking part in joint exercises. The document held out the long term prospect of eventual Nato membership for the three countries, but noted that opinions differed widely on this question.

Diplomats are concerned that a permanent Nato military presence in member states bordering Russia could lead President Vladimir Putin to counter by bolstering his own forces near sensitive frontiers.

They are particularly reluctant to place any Nato troops in Ukraine itself. "It's not the most opportune moment to have a visible Nato presence in Ukraine. It would be a golden pretext for the Russians to reinforce their presence," said a diplomat.

w.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10737838/Ukraine-crisis-Poland-asks-Nato-to-station-10000-troops-on-its-territory.html