Nato is beefing up its presence in eastern Europe by putting forces on standby and deploying more ships and fighter jets.
Members of the 30-country alliance have offered additional assistance amid concerns about the build-up of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine.
The ‘deterrence’ presence in the Baltic Sea area includes a frigate sent by Denmark and ships sent by Spain.
The Danes have also deployed four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania to support the ‘air-policing mission’ in the region.
Nato said France has expressed its readiness to send troops to Romania and the Netherlands is sending two F-35 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria from April.
The United States has also made clear that it is considering increasing its military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance, the organisation added in a statement.
Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said: ‘Nato will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the alliance.
‘We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defence.’
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