MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Speaking at UK public broadcaster BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, the British defense chief said this was largely due to Russia’s alleged involvement in the Ukrainian internal crisis, repeatedly denied by Moscow.
Russia repeatedly condemned NATO of using the conflict in Ukraine's southeast to justify military buildup in Eastern Europe.
Fallon said it was important to London to boost its commitment to the alliance amid escalating tensions with Russia. He also accused Moscow of "saber-rattling" after President Vladimir Putin said Russia would beef up its nuclear defense shield if NATO kept pulling troops to Eastern Europe.
Under UK’s new commitment, it will continue sending troops to strengthen the NATO rapid reaction force, which can be sent to a conflict zone in a matter of days.
Around 1,000 troops will be sent in 2016 and 3,000 in 2017, up until 2021. Britain will also send its Typhoon fighter jets to fly over the Baltic states next year.
