Yahoo Finance Nato steps up military activity in east Europe
DEFENCE organisation Nato has stepped up its military presence in eastern Europe amid concerns that the interim government is losing control of a tense standoff with pro-Russian forces.
Secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen confirmed yesterday that additional planes, ships and land vehicles will be deployed to prepare for intervention.
“NATO will protect every ally and defend against any threat against our fundamental security,” Rasmussen said in a statement.
There was no let up yesterday after separatists were joined by Ukrainian army defectors in a military convoy in Slovyansk.
The pro-Russian forces were armed with Kalashnikov rifles and grenade launchers and rode on armoured troop carriers bearing the Russian flag. In the regional capital Donetsk, the city hall was taken over by armed men in the latest occupation move.
Despite an ongoing meeting of foreign ministers in Geneva, US officials yesterday indicated that with little further progress on the horizon, a new set of sanctions on Russia could come this week. So far, sanctions have applied largely to individuals surrounding President Vladimir Putin.
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