NATO to defend Baltics at ’lightning speed’ says top official

  • 2014-10-08
  • From wire reports, RIGA

US tanks roll into Lithuania this month amid plans to boost NATO presence in the region (photo: AFP)

NATO forces can defend member states at 'lightning speed' in case of an attack, a top NATO official has said.

Speaking to the LETA news agency, NATO spokesman James Appthurai said NATO troops could be deployed to the Baltics in 48 hours in case of any potential military aggression.

His comments come after Baltic officials called for permanent NATO deployments. Their wishes were fulfilled somewhat earlier this year after NATO officials agreed to boost its presence in the Baltics amid a perceived threat from Russia.

More Russian warships and jets have been observed near Baltic territory this year. Russian Latvian relations have become more complicated amid the Ukraine crisis, Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Veshnyakov admitted in an interview with Latvian television earlier this year.

NATO was closely monitoring the borders of NATO states whilst at the same time being ready for any unaware action, Appthurai added. 

In discussing the pact signed between NATO and Russia, Appathurai said the pact indeed stipulates that the new NATO member states are not to station large numbers of military units within their territories.

A lot of thought went into these terms. However, it is more important to make sure that no one is able to block the joint security measures of NATO member states. 

NATO will do everything in its power in order to protect its allies, which is possible without violating the NATO-Russia pact. In order to achieve this, NATO has formed a rapid response force which is highly trained in performing various tasks, Appathurai said, explaining that these forces could arrive in any NATO member state within 48 hours.

This is "lightning fast" according to military standards, however, it requires a very high level of preparedness. Each member state should take into consideration that NATO Response Force serves only as a reinforcement or reserve.