NATO wants to expand its presence in Eastern Europe Ukraine-conflict – and Kiev directly support military: The outgoing Secretary General Rasmussen has the crisis country promised help with a reform of the army.

NATO wants to expand its presence in Eastern Europe Ukraine-conflict – and Kiev directly support military: The outgoing Secretary General Rasmussen has the crisis country promised help with a reform of the army.

The aid thus concerns the areas of logistics, command and communication structures and cyber defense. In addition, NATO would support Ukraine in the care of wounded soldiers as well as advise on the reform of its armed forces and strengthen their “strategic exchange” with Kiev. According to Rasmussen should flow into a trust fund for this purpose around 15 million euros.

NATO Summit Newport:Rasmussen’s “Readiness Action Plan”

“We reaffirm our firm commitment to expand the Special Partnership between NATO and Ukraine, to contribute to the development of a stable, peaceful and undivided Europe,” it said in a joint statement by the Heads of State and Government of the 28 Member States.

Previously, Rasmussen had ready a so-called Readiness Action plan presented, which have the objective “to improve our ability to act quickly to defend our allies, if this is necessary.” At the NATO summit important steps would be taken, “to strengthen the defense capabilities of our allies,” Rasmussen said.

On Friday, NATO will adopt an action plan for Eastern Europe in response to the conflict with Russia. The provides for an increased presence of the alliance in the region and the establishment of a Rapid Response Force. After the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis doubts had arisen whether the alliance against a Russian attack on one member state would be adequately equipped in NATO. The defense alliance planned then a so-called NATO Response Force as a rapid reaction force for Eastern Europe.

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