Berlin. February 19. INTERFAX - German troops, which are part of the NATO rapid reaction force, will be put on high alert, which will shorten the time of their deployment to protect Eastern European allies in the event of an escalation of tensions with Russia, the German Defense Ministry said on Friday.
"Increased readiness for deployment allows NATO, in the event of further escalation by Russia, to guarantee proper confidence, in particular, to our Eastern European allies that their territories are protected," the ministry said in a statement.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Wednesday that the alliance's forces were on high alert. He called this measure "defensive" and not posing a threat to Russia.
On the eve of all parties to the armed conflict in the Donbass reported an aggravation of the situation on the demarcation line. The number of attacks has increased many times. There are victims.
