Defence Ministers agree to strengthen NATO’s defences, establish Spearhead Force

NATO Defence Ministers decided on 5 February 2015 to strengthen the Alliance’s collective defence. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the decisions would 'ensure that we have the right forces, in the right place, at the right time'.

Defence Ministers also decided to immediately establish six command and control units in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, and agreed on the size and scope of a new very high readiness force or Spearhead Force.

• Primary Source

NATO: Newsroom: Speech, 05.02.15: Doorstep stamement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the start of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_117173.htm

EUObserver, 06.02.15: Nato to open facilities on Russia's doorstep https://euobserver.com/defence/127529

EurActiv, 05.02.15: NATO plants seven new flags in Eastern Europe http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/nato-plants-seven-new-flags-eastern-europe-311858

Deutsche Welle, 05.02.15: NATO due to more than double 'rapid response' force in reaction to Ukraine http://dw.de/p/1EVuY

The New York Times, 05.02.15: NATO Strengthens Forces in Eastern Europe Against Russia Risk http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/02/05/world/europe/05reuters-ukraine-crisis-nato.html

BBC News, 05.02.15: Ukraine crisis: Nato bolsters Eastern Europe against Russia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31142276

BBC News, 05.02.15: Nato readjusts as Ukraine crisis looms http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31137760

ESO: Background information: Russia and NATO trade accusations http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-and-nato-trade-accusations/

The Guardian, 05.02.15: Nato will establish rapid reaction force to counter perceived threat of Russian aggression http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/05/nato-rapid-reaction-force-counter-russia-ukraine

Euronews, 05.02.15: NATO finalises spearhead forces to counter ‘Russian threat’ http://www.euronews.com/2015/02/05/nato-finalises-spearhead-forces-to-counter-russian-threat/

Balkan Insight, 06.02.15: Romania Welcomes Boost to NATO's Eastern Flank http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/romania-backs-nato-s-increased-presence-in-eastern-europe

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