Russia, Ukraine Tensions Rise as US and NATO Plan Security Talks Next Month

NATO Rapid Response Force Raises Combat Readiness at Ukraine Border

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is strengthening the combat readiness of its subordinate NATO Response Force (NRF) for the first time in response to Russia's increased troop deployment along the Ukrainian border. Meanwhile, the United States and Russia are expected to meet early next year for security consultations.

On the 22nd (local time), the Washington Post (WP) reported, citing remarks from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, that Russia and the United States will meet early next year to discuss Western guarantees to prevent NATO's expansion into Ukraine and Russia's demands.

According to WP, Minister Lavrov stated, "Russia will also begin separate consultations with NATO starting in January and plans to hold separate negotiations under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)."

Earlier, NATO raised the combat readiness level of the NATO Response Force related to the Ukraine situation to 40,000 troops.

On the 20th, NATO instructed the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) within the NRF to be prepared to deploy to crisis areas within five days if necessary. Previously, the deployment deadline was within seven days.

The NATO Response Force is a multinational military organization established in 2002. It operates under NATO's single operational command. Previously, U.S. General Todd Walters, Supreme Allied Commander Operations, proposed to NATO member countries to shorten the NRF's deployment deadline to crisis areas.

Turkey currently leads this force, which numbers approximately 6,400 personnel. Germany will assume command in 2023. With this decision, the combat readiness of the NRF's special forces, transport units, and others will also be upgraded to ensure faster deployment readiness in times of crisis.

On the 21st, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a meeting with senior Russian military officials and warned that if the United States and other Western countries, including NATO, do not abandon their aggressive stance, Russia will take appropriate military and technical measures in response.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.