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Nato ministers meet over Ukraine Ukraine crisis: Nato ministers meet
(about 2 hours later)
William Hague will join fellow Nato foreign ministers to discuss theWilliam Hague will join fellow Nato foreign ministers to discuss the
military alliance's response to the Ukraine crisis amid continued fears military alliance's response to the Ukraine crisis amid continued fears
over Russia's territorial ambitions. over Russia's territorial ambitions.
Training for Ukrainian forces and a more formal suspension of Training for Ukrainian forces and a more formal suspension of
co-operation with Moscow are expected to be discussed at the Brussels co-operation with Moscow are expected to be discussed at the Brussels
meeting on Tuesday.meeting on Tuesday.
Some Russian troops – reported to number around 500 – are being Some Russian troops – reported to number around 500 – are being
withdrawn from the Ukrainian border, where the deployment of tens of withdrawn from the Ukrainian border, where the deployment of tens of
thousands has raised fears of an incursion into other parts of the thousands has raised fears of an incursion into other parts of the
country.country.
The move was signalled by Vladimir Putin in a telephone call with The move was signalled by Vladimir Putin in a telephone call with
the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, her office said, but the US defence the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, her office said, but the US defence
secretary, Chuck Hagel, called the scale of the build-up of forces secretary, Chuck Hagel, called the scale of the build-up of forces
"tremendous"."tremendous".
Nato's supreme commander in Europe, US General Philip Breedlove, hasNato's supreme commander in Europe, US General Philip Breedlove, has
warned that the force on the border is "very, very sizeable and very, warned that the force on the border is "very, very sizeable and very,
very ready" and raised the prospect that the Kremlin could even seek to very ready" and raised the prospect that the Kremlin could even seek to
take control of a Russian-speaking section of nearby Moldova.take control of a Russian-speaking section of nearby Moldova.
Amid concerns that Putin could mount similar incursions against Amid concerns that Putin could mount similar incursions against
the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, David Cameron has ordered four RAF warplanes to thethe Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, David Cameron has ordered four RAF warplanes to the
region to assist in "air policing". region to assist in "air policing".
Nato has increased surveillance in the region and mounted extra Nato has increased surveillance in the region and mounted extra
flights in Poland and Romania as well as suspending military co-operationflights in Poland and Romania as well as suspending military co-operation
with Russia – such as a proposed joint mission protecting a ship taking with Russia – such as a proposed joint mission protecting a ship taking
chemical weapons out of Syria. chemical weapons out of Syria.
"We should do everything we can to reassure our friends and "We should do everything we can to reassure our friends and
colleagues in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia and in Poland that we reallycolleagues in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia and in Poland that we really
believe in their Nato membership and the guarantees that we have given believe in their Nato membership and the guarantees that we have given
them," Cameron said.them," Cameron said.
Britain's defence secretary, Philip Hammond, has said the UK is considering Britain's defence secretary, Philip Hammond, has said the UK is considering
increasing its participation in Nato military exercises in eastern increasing its participation in Nato military exercises in eastern
Europe.Europe.
"Certainly one of the things we are looking at is a greater "Certainly one of the things we are looking at is a greater
participation in exercises in the Baltic states, the eastern European participation in exercises in the Baltic states, the eastern European
Nato member countries as a way of reassuring them about our commitment Nato member countries as a way of reassuring them about our commitment
to article five of the Washington treaty, the mutual guarantee," he toldto article five of the Washington treaty, the mutual guarantee," he told
the BBC. the BBC.
Article five of the Nato treaty means that an attack on one nation Article five of the Nato treaty means that an attack on one nation
in the alliance is viewed as an act of aggression against them all.in the alliance is viewed as an act of aggression against them all.
Barack Obama has said Nato countries must "meet the Barack Obama has said Nato countries must "meet the
challenge to our ideals, to our very international order with strength challenge to our ideals, to our very international order with strength
and conviction".and conviction".
A Nato spokesman said the meeting would "focus on increasing supportA Nato spokesman said the meeting would "focus on increasing support
for Ukraine and on the consequences of Russia's illegal military for Ukraine and on the consequences of Russia's illegal military
actions against Ukraine for Nato-Russia relations".actions against Ukraine for Nato-Russia relations".
Other items on the agenda are relations with Georgia, the situation Other items on the agenda are relations with Georgia, the situation
in Afghanistan, the alliance's co-operation with its Gulf partners and preparations for Nato's September summit in Wales.in Afghanistan, the alliance's co-operation with its Gulf partners and preparations for Nato's September summit in Wales.