This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34471849

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Syria crisis: Nato renews pledge amid Russia 'escalation' Syria crisis: Nato renews pledge amid Russia 'escalation'
(35 minutes later)
Nato has renewed assurances to defend allies in view of the "escalation of Russian military activities" in Syria, the alliance's secretary-general says.Nato has renewed assurances to defend allies in view of the "escalation of Russian military activities" in Syria, the alliance's secretary-general says.
Jens Stoltenberg said defence ministers had decided to boost response forces to be able to deploy troops speedily.Jens Stoltenberg said defence ministers had decided to boost response forces to be able to deploy troops speedily.
Nato member Turkey has complained that Russian jets have violated its airspace recently.Nato member Turkey has complained that Russian jets have violated its airspace recently.
Russia has used cruise missiles as well as air strikes in Syria. The Nato chief said Moscow's position was "unhelpful".Russia has used cruise missiles as well as air strikes in Syria. The Nato chief said Moscow's position was "unhelpful".
Mr Stoltenberg urged Moscow to stop backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Mr Stoltenberg urged Moscow to stop backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Moscow denies Western accusations that it has mainly targeted Assad opponents, insisting its strikes have hit the infrastructure of the so-called Islamic State (IS) and other militant groups.Moscow denies Western accusations that it has mainly targeted Assad opponents, insisting its strikes have hit the infrastructure of the so-called Islamic State (IS) and other militant groups.
IS militants have seized swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.IS militants have seized swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.
A US-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes against IS in both Syria and Iraq for months. But Western countries support rebels who have been fighting to oust Mr Assad since 2011. A US-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes against IS fighters in both Syria and Iraq for months. But Western countries support rebels who have been fighting to oust Mr Assad since 2011.
Analysis: Sarah Rainsford, BBC Moscow correspondent Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC defence correspondent
Russia wants to show that Western policy in Syria has failed and there are other forces to be supported there, primarily President Bashar al-Assad. Jens Stoltenberg spoke of "a troubling escalation in Russia's military activities in Syria". Moscow's support for the Assad regime, he insisted, was not a constructive policy. While there's been plenty of condemnation of Moscow here in Brussels, Nato has few options to influence Russian behaviour.
The Kremlin's desire appears to be aimed at keeping America on the back foot. It stands ready to assist Turkey to maintain the integrity of its airspace if requested and Nato is reviewing its naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean, where the Russians already have a small naval flotilla off the Syrian coast.
The use of cruise missiles on Wednesday does not change the situation militarily - the same effect could have been achieved by air strikes. Vladimir Putin's more assertive stance - first in Ukraine and now in Syria - continues to worry Nato members who share borders with Russia.
But Mr Putin wants to project his power on the world stage, to show that he is a force to be reckoned with.
More analysis:More analysis:
The Russian air strikes had "weakened" IS, Syrian Army Chief of Staff Gen Ali Abdullah Ayoub said on Thursday, enabling the army to start a "big attack" to retake towns and villages.The Russian air strikes had "weakened" IS, Syrian Army Chief of Staff Gen Ali Abdullah Ayoub said on Thursday, enabling the army to start a "big attack" to retake towns and villages.
Nato ministers met amid a deepening sense of crisis, says BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus.Nato ministers met amid a deepening sense of crisis, says BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus.
But the alliance has few options, our correspondent adds.
They expressed their solidarity with Turkey as well as to address increased concern among Baltic member states following Russia's involvement in eastern Ukraine.They expressed their solidarity with Turkey as well as to address increased concern among Baltic member states following Russia's involvement in eastern Ukraine.
The UK is to station about 100 troops in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania amid tensions with Moscow. It is also sending 25 soldiers to a training mission in Ukraine.The UK is to station about 100 troops in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania amid tensions with Moscow. It is also sending 25 soldiers to a training mission in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Russia said it had launched missile strikes against IS from warships in the Caspian Sea - about 1,500km (930 miles) away.On Wednesday, Russia said it had launched missile strikes against IS from warships in the Caspian Sea - about 1,500km (930 miles) away.
Russia's foreign ministry also said Moscow was willing to establish contact with the Free Syrian Army - a Western-backed rebel group - to discuss fighting IS "and other terrorist groups".Russia's foreign ministry also said Moscow was willing to establish contact with the Free Syrian Army - a Western-backed rebel group - to discuss fighting IS "and other terrorist groups".
But US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said coalition forces fighting IS in Syria would not co-operate with Russia.But US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said coalition forces fighting IS in Syria would not co-operate with Russia.
"We believe Russia has the wrong strategy," he said. "They continue to hit targets that are not IS.""We believe Russia has the wrong strategy," he said. "They continue to hit targets that are not IS."
Airspace violationsAirspace violations
Russia's air campaign in Syria has raised fears of accidental contact between Russian warplanes and those of the US-led coalition which have been targeting IS for the past year.Russia's air campaign in Syria has raised fears of accidental contact between Russian warplanes and those of the US-led coalition which have been targeting IS for the past year.
Pentagon officials revealed they recently had to carry out at least one "safe separation" manoeuvre to avoid a US jet coming too close to a Russian aircraft over Syria.Pentagon officials revealed they recently had to carry out at least one "safe separation" manoeuvre to avoid a US jet coming too close to a Russian aircraft over Syria.
The Syrian civil war began with an uprising against President Assad in 2011 that was brutally put down.The Syrian civil war began with an uprising against President Assad in 2011 that was brutally put down.
It has since deteriorated into fighting between pro-government forces and various rebel groups - some of which also fight each other.It has since deteriorated into fighting between pro-government forces and various rebel groups - some of which also fight each other.