NATO PUTS FORCES ON STANDBY AS UKRAINE TENSIONS MOUNT

NATO said on Monday it was putting forces on standby and reinforcing eastern Europe with more ships and fighter jets, in what Russia denounced as an escalation of tensions over Ukraine. “NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the alliance,” NATO Secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement.

The statement also said Denmark, Spain, France and the Netherlands were all planning considering sending troops, planes or ships to eastern Europe.

The move added to a flurry of signals that the West is bracing for an aggressive Russian move against Ukraine.

The news comes after Britain said it was withdrawing some staff and dependants from its embassy in Ukraine in response to “a growing threat from Russia”, a day after the United States said it was ordering diplomats’ family members to leave.

Moscow responded citing the latest Western move as evidence that it is under threat from NATO and Ukraine.

“As for specific actions, we see statements by the North Atlantic Alliance about reinforcement, pulling forces and resources to the eastern flank. All this leads to the fact that tensions are growing. This is not happening because of what we, Russia, are doing. This is all happening because of what NATO and the U.S. are doing and due to the information they are spreading.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He said the West was showing “hysteria” and putting out information “laced with lies”.