BRUSSELS, July 25 (RIA Novosti) – NATO is expected to consider supplying a base in Szczecin, Poland, with additional personnel and equipment to help the alliance respond faster to any threat posed by Russia, a NATO military officer told RIA Novosti.
The measure could be discussed as part of a readiness action plan at NATO’s Wales Summit in September. This could include a review of NATO defense plans, stepping up training and exercises, and appropriate deployments.
“The possibility of reinforcing Multinational Corps Northeast with additional personnel and equipment is one of the measures that will be looked at,” the officer said.
“The focus is on the ability to respond to crises and threats, not the permanent basing of combat troops in Eastern Europe. Such steps are purely defensive, in line with our international commitments, and send an unmistakable signal of NATO's commitment to defend every part of the alliance,” he added.
The Times earlier reported that the shift in posture has been proposed by General Philip Breedlove, NATO’s top commander in Europe. He plans to recommend placing supplies at the headquarters to “enable a sudden influx of thousands of NATO troops to be ready for action in the event of a crisis,” the British newspaper said.
Currently, some 200 soldiers have been deployed to Poland’s city of Szczecin. The center involves personnel from Germany, Denmark and Poland. If necessary, the functions of this staff can be activated in full volume to coordinate combat divisions.
