AFP Ukrainian servicemen on patrol in the village of Horlivka, Donetsk region - 4 February 2015 <\/p>\n
Nato is set to announce details of a plan to bolster the alliance's military presence in Eastern Europe in response to continued fighting in Ukraine. <\/p>\n
The bloc's chief says it will be the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence since the end of the Cold War. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry is to hold talks in Kiev as the US considers whether to send weapons to help Ukraine fight pro-Russian rebels. <\/p>\n
The US has so far only provided \"non-lethal\" assistance to Ukraine. <\/p>\n
On Wednesday Ashton Carter, the White House's choice for defence secretary, said he was \"inclined\" to start supplying arms. <\/p>\n
Nato defence ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday will seek to reassure the alliance's member nations in Eastern Europe by boosting its forces there. <\/p>\n
A rapid reaction force of up to 5,000 is expected to be announced, with its lead units able to deploy at two days' notice. <\/p>\n
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg has said the bloc faces a \"fundamental change\" to its security environment because of Russian aggression. <\/p>\n
Speaking as ministers arrived in Brussels, he said: \"This is something we do as a response to the aggressive actions we have seen from Russia, violating international law and annexing Crimea,\" he said. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Continue reading here: <\/p>\n
Nato to boost Eastern Europe defence<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AFP Ukrainian servicemen on patrol in the village of Horlivka, Donetsk region - 4 February 2015 Nato is set to announce details of a plan to bolster the alliance's military presence in Eastern Europe in response to continued fighting in Ukraine. Continue reading