Just Defense, Right? NATO Chief Wants More Troops in Eastern Europe

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday called on the Alliance's ministers to increase its presence in Eastern Europe in order to send a "powerful signal to deter any aggression."

"I expect ministers to agree to enhance our forward presence in the eastern part of our alliance. This will bolster our collective defense and at the same time send a powerful signal to deter any aggression or intimidation," Stoltenberg said during a pre-ministerial press conference in Brussels.

But NATO is not looking for confrontation with Russia and is not trying to create a new "cold war" with Moscow, the secretary general said.

"We don't seek confrontation with Russia, we don't seek a new cold war…that is the reason why we continue to strive for a more constructive and cooperative relationship with Russia," Stoltenberg said.