Amid Russia threat, Nato activates 40,000-strong Response Force in historic first
When Russia pressed forward with her attacks in Ukraine, the Organization of the North Atlantic Agreement (NATO) has activated the power of the response as a defensive act, in historically first.
Head NATO Jens Stoltenberg said the Friday block had activated a defense plan and “consequently … it is working on the elements of the power of NATO response on land, at sea and in the air”. These include multinational styles consisting of thousands of more troops and more than 100 jets entered in 30 locations that can be used quickly to support allied countries adjacent to Russia and Ukraine.
“There should be no room for calculation errors or misunderstandings. We will do what is needed to protect and maintain each ally, and every inch of the NATO region,” said Stoltenberg.
However, this does not mean that NATO forces will enter Ukraine, who are not members. This step occurred amid broad criticism of block 27 members not to act in the face of Russian invasion to Ukraine.
The decision to activate the response style was carried out after an urgent consultation involving US President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders. The power of 40,000 strong has not been deployed but is on standby. This step is largely to convince member countries on the east side of the alliance that their security is guaranteed when the Russian large-scale invasion to Ukraine is closed in the capital city of Kyiv.
“This is a historic moment and the first time the alliance has employed high readiness strength in the role of prevention and defense,” said NATO Supreme Allied General Tod Wolters, as quoted by CNN.
The largest security organization in the previous world has around 5,000 soldiers placed in Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – and Poland, but have significantly imposed their defenses over the past three months.
Germany said on Friday that he planned to spread the troops and the Patriot anti-missile system to Slovakia, which was a member of NATO and one of the countries to trigger an urgent consultation, as part of “Enhanced Wewection Activity Battlagroup.”
Some NATO member countries supply weapons, ammunition, and other equipment to Ukraine, but NATO as no organization. It will not launch military action to support Ukraine, which is a close partner but does not have the prospect of joining.
However, the Baltic members said West must be “urging Ukrainian people with weapons, ammunition and other types of military support to defend themselves and economic, financial and political assistance, humanitarian assistance.”