The NATO Response Force was activated this Friday as a defensive measure against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, marking the first time in history that the multinational army is required.
Tod Wolters , NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, was tasked with activating the army, which is made up of allies’ ground, air, sea and special operations forces that can be rapidly deployed to provide military support, CNN reported.
“This is a historic moment and the first time that the Alliance has used these highly prepared forces in a role of deterrence and defense. They represent a credible, flexible fighting force that can be employed in multiple ways, and we are making full use of their inherent agility,” Wolters said in a statement.
“These deterrence measures are prudent and improve our speed, response capacity and ability to protect and defend 1,000 millions of citizens we swear to protect”, added Wolters.
However, the activation of these response troops, whose creation dates back to 2002, does not mean that any US or NATO troops will enter Ukraine, since this country is not part of the organization.
President Biden clarified on Thursday that troops Americans are deploying to Eastern Europe to help bolster NATO countries nervous about Russia’s actions, but they won’t fight on Ukraine soil.
The escalation of violence announced by Vladimir Putin on Wednesday has set off alarms worldwide, and as a consequence they have generated a package of sanctions that was announced this Friday by the United States.
Likewise, China, one of Russia’s most powerful allies, has chosen to take an ambiguous position regarding the European conflict, because despite the fact that its president, Xi Jinping, has asked for a negotiated solution to the crisis, has refused to condemn the actions taken by the Kremlin.