NATO to consider stationing troops permanently

NATO to consider stationing troops permanently

OTTAWA -- NATO will have to consider permanently stationing troops in parts of Eastern Europe as a result of the increased tension between Russia and Ukraine.

This is according to the alliance's top military commander, quoted by Reuters.

NATO has arranged a number of short-term army, air force and naval rotations in Eastern Europe, but these are due to finish at the end of this year, the news agency said.

"I think this is something we will have to consider and we will tee this up for discussion through the leaderships of our nations to see where that leads," U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove said.

His statement came in response to a question on whether NATO "might have to look at permanently stationing troops in the alliance's member states in Eastern Europe."