NATO countries will approve a defense plan to combat major threats in the European Arctic at their summit.

“We will take further major steps to strengthen our deterrence and defence. <...> One plan for the north, the Atlantic and European Arctic; one for the centre, covering the Baltic region and central Europe; and a southern plan for the Mediterranean and Black Sea" explained the organization's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

According to Stoltenberg, "to execute these plans, NATO is putting 300,000 troops on higher readiness, including substantial air combat power".

Earlier it became known that NATO wasis going to approve new plans at the summit, including further military build-up near Russia's borders, strengthening the level of coordination between the military departments of member states and the collective command of the Alliance, as well as increasing the combat readiness of NATO units in case of a possible confrontation with Russia.

According to the NATO Secretary General, for the first time since the Cold War, the Alliance will fully link planning in collective defense with planning for its forces, capabilities, command and control, and will expand its exercise program.