NATO announces deployment of troops to Russian border.
Great Britain, Germany, and the United States moved forward on Tuesday, the 14th, with plans to position a new North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) force on the border with Russia starting next year; "Great Britain will lead one of the battalions," stated British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon, adding that London will send up to 700 soldiers to the Baltic and Poland; Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered lightning inspections to test the combat readiness of his Armed Forces.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain, Germany and the United States moved forward on Tuesday with plans to position a new North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) force on Russia's border starting next year, and Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered lightning inspections to test the combat readiness of his armed forces.
Weeks before a crucial NATO summit in Warsaw, three of the organization's largest military powers said they would each command a battalion on the eastern flank to deter any show of force like the one Moscow displayed in the then-Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014.
"Britain will lead one of the battalions," said British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon during a meeting of NATO defense ministers, adding that London will send up to 700 troops to the Baltic and Poland.
"This should send a very clear message about our determination to defend the Baltic states and Poland against continued Russian aggression," he said.
As a reminder of Russia's commitment to strengthening its military readiness, its armed forces have begun conducting lightning inspections of its units, as well as weapons and equipment depots.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the goal of the exercise, taking place between June 14 and 22, is to ensure the capability of its military to "carry out planned activities, including mobilizations."
(By Robin Emmott and Phil Stewart)