NATO Expansion Moves On: Troops Deployed Near Russian Border

NATO alliance is going to deploy troops in the Baltic states and Poland along the Russian border, media reported, citing officials.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — NATO member states are preparing to deploy about 4,000 troops – four battalions — in the Baltic states and Poland as part of the Alliance’s strategy of military buildup on the Russian border, media reported, citing officials.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States is likely to provide two of the battalions, while two other battalions will consist of German and UK troops.

"The Russians have been doing a lot of snap exercises right up against the borders, with a lot of troops. From our perspective, we could argue this is extraordinarily provocative behavior," US Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work told the paper, confirming the overall size of the new deployment.

NATO has been reinforcing its military presence in Eastern European countries bordering Russia, using Moscow's alleged interference in the Ukrainian crisis as a pretext for the move.

In February, NATO defense ministers approved in principle the deployment of troops in Eastern Europe to deter what they refer to as "Russian aggression," though there was no final decision on the matter. The proposal is currently being reviewed at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.