OUR RING OF STEEL
Nato defences against Russia boosted to Cold War levels
DEFENCES against Russia will return to Cold War levels as Nato moves to protect members from Moscow’s warmongers.
More US warplanes will be deployed to Britain and a new US base will be created in Poland as the invasion of Ukraine increases fears for other former Soviet states.
Some 260,000 extra troops, including UK soldiers, will be put on high alert, with forces defending specific regions on the alliance’s eastern flank nearest Russia.
Unveiling the measures last night, Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said: “Today, Nato leaders decided a fundamental shift in our defence and deterrence to respond to a new security reality.
“This is the first time since the Cold War that we have these kinds of plans with pre-assigned forces.”
Heavy equipment and weapons will be deployed to alliance nations deemed at the greatest risk from Vladimir Putin’s forces.
Membership bids by Finland and Sweden were formally backed by alliance leaders yesterday, striking a blow to the Kremlin by increasing Nato’s border with Russia.
Boris Johnson said at the Nato summit in Spanish capital Madrid: “If Putin was hoping he’d be getting less Nato on his Western front as a result of his unprovoked illegal invasion of Ukraine, he’s been proved completely wrong. He is getting more Nato.”
US president Joe Biden announced a new base in Poland for the US Fifth Army Corps – the first permanent American station in the country. Another 3000 soldiers will be sent to Romania with “enhanced” troop rotations in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The UK is setting up a brigade