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NATO expects OK for greater forward presence

NATO expects OK for greater forward presence
Posted at 3:09 AM, Feb 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-10 06:09:56-05

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO defense ministers are meeting in Brussels, with the alliance's secretary general predicting approval for increasing NATO's forward presence in Eastern Europe to deter Russia.

The NATO chief, Jens Stoltenberg, said Wednesday that such enhancements, which could include stockpiles of military equipment and new infrastructure, will send a "clear signal" the alliance is ready and able to defend any of its members.

At their two-day meeting, the ministers are expected to discuss what their countries can do following the Obama administration's announcement that it wants to quadruple U.S. spending on measures to reassure frontline members of NATO worried about Russia.

Following a request from NATO members Germany and Turkey, ministers will also discuss what NATO could do to help slow the flow of migrants into Europe by sea.