NATO deploys 4 battalions in Baltic states, Poland
NATO has finalized the deployment of four multinational battalions on its eastern flank under the program of Russia's deterrence.
"Today NATO fulfils the promise we made at our summit in Warsaw only a year ago. A promise to deploy four multinational battlegroups in Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and right here in Latvia. To defend our alliance, to deter aggression and to preserve the peace," the alliance quoted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as saying.
"As of today, that deployment is complete," Stoltenberg said.
The NATO secretary general attended the welcome ceremony for the Canadian military contingent, which arrived in Latvia on Monday. Canada will be in charge of the multinational battlegroup stationed in Latvia. On Tuesday, Stoltenberg will visit Lithuania, where Germany will take charge of the battlegroup.
More than 4,000 servicemen will be deployed in the four countries, Stoltenberg said. In addition to Canadian servicemen, the battlegroup stationed in Latvia will include troops from Albania, Spain, Italy, Poland and Slovenia. Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Norway have assigned their servicemen to the Germany-led battlegroup stationed in Lithuania. The UK-led battlegroup in Estonia also involvement servicemen from Denmark and France. The battlegroup stationed in Poland is supervised by the United States and includes servicemen from the UK and Romania.
