NATO has no plans to deploy combat troops to non-NATO member Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion, Asked on BBC Television whether he would rule out putting NATO troops in Ukraine if Russia does invade, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: „We have no plans to deploy NATO combat troops to Ukraine ... we are focusing on providing support“.
„There is a difference between being a NATO member and being a strong and highly valued partner as Ukraine. There's no doubt about that“.
Russia has placed about 100,000 troops, tanks, artillery and missiles near Ukraine's border, but denies it plans to invade the former Soviet republic, which borders both Russia and the EU.
The US has put 8,500 troops on alert to deploy at short notice, which Russia said caused it "great concern". Members of the Nato alliance, including Denmark, Spain, Bulgaria and the Netherlands, are sending more fighter jets and warships to Eastern Europe to bolster defences in the region. Washington has made clear that Russian demands for NATO to pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe and bar Ukraine from ever joining are non-starters, but says it is ready to discuss other topics such as arms control and confidence-building measures.
