NATO Wants To Deploy More Troops Along Russia's Border

Military planes fly in formation during a NATO military exercise at the Birgi NATO Airbase in Trapani, Italy October 19, 2015. REUTERS/TONY GENTILE

Wall Street Journal: NATO Looks at Stationing More Troops Along Eastern Flank

Alliance seeks to deter Russia in wake of aggression in Ukraine

BRUSSELS—NATO countries are discussing increasing the number of troops stationed in members bordering Russia and putting them under formal alliance command, part of a new effort to deter aggression from Moscow, according to diplomats and military officers.

Under one plan, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization would have a battalion in Poland and each of the three Baltic states—roughly 800 to 1,000 soldiers in each unit. A more modest version would have a single NATO battalion in the area.

While the U.S. and other allies are supportive, however, German officials in particular have expressed reservations, telling the allies in private discussions that they don't want to treat Moscow as a permanent enemy or lock it out of Europe, despite the frictions over Ukraine and other provocations.

Update #1: NATO discussing increasing troops near Russia's borders: WSJ -- Reuters
Update #2: NATO May Deploy Additional Troops on Member State Borders With Russia -- Sputnik

WNU Editor: The new Polish government definitely wants more NATO soldiers .... New Polish Government Wants NATO to Send More US Troops to Poland (Sputnik).