NATO to expand military presence in Europe

BRUSSELS — The defense ministers from all 28 NATO countries approved a plan on Wednesday to enhance the alliance’s military presence in Central and Eastern Europe, part of its expanding efforts to deter Russian aggression, according to NATO’s secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg.

The forces will rotate through the countries to conduct exercises, and NATO will also enlarge its infrastructure in the region so it can quickly respond to threats, Stoltenberg said. Inthe spring, the alliance’s military planners will recommend how large the presence should be.

The decision came a week after the Obama administration announced that it would more than quadruple its spending to enhance its footprint in Eastern Europe. As part of its budget proposal for fiscal 2017, the administration has askedfor $3.4 billion — compared with $789 million for the current budget — for “more pre-positioned war-fighting gear” in the countries, and additional training and exercises.

The size of the American contribution surprised some analysts, who saw it as one of the most aggressive moves the United States has made in the region since the fall of the Soviet Union. Administration officials have said they hope that their commitment to protecting these countries sends a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his aggression in the region will no longer be tolerated.