For the first time ever, the NATO Response Force has been activated as a defensive measure in response to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Tod Wolters activated the multinational force consisting of land, air, sea and special operations forces from the allies that can deploy quickly in support of the NATO alliance.

The activation of the response troops does not mean that any US or NATO troops will go into Ukraine, which is not a member. US President Joe Biden has been clear that US troops are deploying to eastern Europe to help bolster NATO countries nervous about Russia's aggressive actions, and they will not be fighting in Ukraine.

"This is an historic moment and the very first time the Alliance has employed these high readiness forces in a deterrence and defense role. They represent a flexible, combat credible force that can be employed in multiple ways and we are utilizing fully their inherent agility," Wolters said in a statement "These deterrence measures are prudent and enhance our speed, responsiveness and capability to shield and protect the one billion citizens we swore to protect."

The force has not yet deployed but is on standby. It's not clear how many troops the response force will contain.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/25/politics/nato-ukraine-russia/index.html.

Read the full speech which was released a few hours ago on the 25th of February 2023


Thank you so much Prime Minister, dear Mark, thank you so much for your kind words and also for your strong leadership and personal commitment to our Alliance, and it is great to be here with you all online.

Let me also thank to the Netherlands and Germany for co-hosting this important seminar today.
And I am delighted that former NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer is joining these discussions today.

Let me also thank Canada, Italy, Portugal, and Spain,
and our partners Finland and Sweden,
for co-sponsoring this event.
This is the third in a series of four seminars,
to help prepare our next Strategic Concept.
And this seminar focuses, as you mentioned, on partnerships.

***

Today we are facing the most dangerous moment in European security for a generation.
Our highly valued partner, Ukraine, remains under imminent threat from Russia.

NATO Allies are united in their full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

We will continue to provide Ukraine with strong political, practical and financial support.
To help Ukraine build their defence capabilities,
modernise their defence and security institutions,
and uphold their right to self-defence,
which is enshrined in the UN Charter.

Many NATO Allies also provide important bilateral support to Ukraine.
And I welcome the recent decision by the Dutch government to provide military equipment to Ukraine to defend itself.

***

There is much at stake in today’s crisis.
The risk of conflict is real.

Russia is using force and ultimatums.
Not only to redraw borders in Europe.
But to try to re-write the entire global security architecture.

Moscow is challenging fundamental principles for our security.
Like NATO’s right to protect and defend all Allies.
And the right for every nation to choose their own path.

This is not only about Ukraine and Georgia.
It is also about denying other European countries,
like Finland and Sweden,
their freedom to choose.

Finland and Sweden are two highly-valued partners bordering the Baltic sea,
with whom we cooperate closely.
In joint exercises, operations and political dialogue.

The crisis in Ukraine underlines the importance of cooperating with our partners.
To defend our shared values and security.
Not least with the European Union.

We are working closely together on the current crisis.
I speak regularly with my EU counterparts.
And NATO Allies,
including Canada, the United States and United Kingdom,
are coordinating with the European Union on economic sanctions.
As we saw very clearly yesterday.

NATO and the European Union are two sides of the same coin.
We have different roles, remits and membership.
But what we do is complementary.

So while the EU is strengthening all the tools in its toolbox in respect to the current crisis,
NATO has enhanced our deterrence and defence across the Alliance.
With more troops, ships and planes.

We have significantly increased our military presence in the east of the Alliance.
And we are ready to do even more.

I welcome, as you said Mark, that the Netherlands has increased the readiness of its forces for the NATO Response Force.
It is sending more troops to our multinational battlegroup in Lithuania.
And more fighter jets to Bulgaria.
This shows that the Netherlands is a highly valued and very committed NATO ally.
Beyond the current crisis, NATO and the EU are cooperating in many other areas.
From cyber security,
to stability in the Western Balkans,
and maritime issues in the Aegean.

We have lifted NATO-EU cooperation to unprecedented levels in recent years.
And our ambition is to go even further.
In new areas like resilience,
emerging technologies,
and the security impact of climate change.

The Netherlands has been a key driver of closer NATO-EU cooperation,
including on military mobility.
And I thank you, Prime Minister Rutte, for that.

***

NATO’s partnerships are fundamental to our ability to preserve peace,
promote stability,
and increase security for all.

They are a two-way street.
That help us all adapt to a more contested and competitive world.

Over the last three decades, NATO has built a broad network of partnerships.
With countries and organisations,
near and far.
From Finland and Sweden,
to Colombia and Mauritania.
And from the Mediterranean,
to the Asia Pacific region.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall,
NATO’s partnerships helped spread freedom, democracy and security throughout Europe.

Since the 1990s, NATO’s operational partners have helped increase stability beyond our borders.

And NATO’s partnerships remain essential,
as we continue to adapt to a more dangerous and competitive world today.

We also work with many other partners, for example, with Iraq.
And our partners in the Middle East and North Africa.
To stabilise our neighbourhood.
And fight international terrorism.

Through our NATO 2030 agenda and next Strategic Concept,
we are significantly stepping up our training and capacity-building support to partners.
In areas like counter-terrorism, crisis management, peacekeeping, and defence reforms.

We also want to deepen our existing partnerships,
and develop new ones.

To work with likeminded countries to address the security implications of a more competitive world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are faced with a new normal.
A world of rising strategic competition.
And increasing challenges to our security.
Where authoritarian powers are seeking to re-write the global rulebook.
And demonstrate that might is right.

So we face a fundamental question.
About the world we want to live in.

One where big powers dictate what others do, through aggression and ultimatums.

Or a world where everyone is free to choose their own path.
Able to live in freedom and democracy.
This is the world we want.
And the one we are working for.
We are stronger and safer when we stand together.

Thank you so much.


https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_192377.htm

NwaNimo1:
Nigeria is ready if needed.....

[img]https://media1./images/f8bd0085d2d200b4bd993e653102892c/tenor.gif?itemid=14865753[/img]

OkpaNsukkaisBae:
spineless nato gtfo

IhateYouMan:


NATO is the strongest military alliance in world history. Bleep with them at your peril. This is not ESN

Righteousness2:
The 4 Horsemen are Jostling to ride.
None of the seals have been open and yet the world is already in Chaos.

I Begin to imagine the tof the world when the seals are opened!

We are living in the Last of the Last Moments!
You Don't want to be on Earth after the RAPTURE! All Hell will be let loose.
Settle the Matter of your soul with JESUS Christ !

Jostoman:
God bless NATO

HenryDion:
Hmmm... If this results in a nuclear war, humanity will never be the same again. Einstein said WWIV will be fought with sticks.

We are talking about countries with weapons one hundred times more advanced than the one detonation at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Strong enough to alter the earth's atmospheric pressure for centuries.

Those that will likely survive will be the elite, safe in their bunkers, or perhaps on Elon's ship to Mars. Earth was never the goal in the first place.

Righteousness2:
The 4 Horsemen are Jostling to ride.
None of the seals have been open and yet the world is already in Chaos.

I Begin to imagine the tempo and atmosphere of the world when the seals are opened!

We are living in the Last of the Last Moments!
You Don't want to be on Earth after the RAPTURE! All Hell will be let loose.
Settle the Matter of your soul with JESUS Christ !

TheWolfen:
Every of their moves had been well planned. Just like in game of chess. Everyone's is watching their opponent closely and making their defensive or offensive moves.

Russia got plans
NATO got plans
China got plans
Israel got plans
...
...

However at the end of the day it will result in destruction of lifes and properties.
The nuclear war between NATO member nations and their rivals will most likely send the world back to stone age

helinues:
Their defense force is only applicable should Russia mess with other NATO countries.

Nobody is coming for Ukraine