NATO enhances forces in response to Russian aggression

BRUSSELS, April 16 (UPI) -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced on Wednesday that additional steps were being taken to strengthen the collective defense of NATO allies in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Speaking at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, Rasmussen said, "Today, we agreed on a package of further military measures to reinforce our collective defence and demonstrate the strength of Allied solidarity. We will have more planes in the air, more ships in the water, and more readiness on land."

The additional policing aircraft and allied ships "will deploy to the Baltic Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean and elsewhere, as required," the secretary general announced.

These military measures, which Rasmussen said will be implemented immediately, follow recent steps by NATO to increase Air Policing in the Baltic States and the deployment of Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft surveillance flights over Poland and Romania.

Rasmussen explained that these measures "send a clear message: NATO will protect every Ally and defend against any threat against our fundamental commitment."

[NATO]