NATO to send 5 ships and 6 fighter jets to Baltic Sea

The Alliance sends additional forces to Russia's western borders.

It is said by NATO's press service. The naval rapid reaction group will consist of ships from Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and Estonia – four minesweepers and a support vessel.

“NATO is sending part of its naval rapid reaction force to the Baltic Sea as part of measures to step up the defence of its eastern European allies,” the alliance said.

Canada will send six Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter aircraft and 20 staff officers to the region. The Canadian aircraft will patrol the airspace over the Eastern European countries along with fighter jets from the US, the UK, Denmark, Poland, Portugal and Germany.

“Along with our NATO allies, we recognise the need to enhance security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe,” Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.

Earlier, the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Brussels approved the measures to bolster security of the alliance members in Eastern Europe due to the situation in Ukraine.