Nato chief says prepared to send troops to defend Turkey

Nato says it is prepared to send troops to Turkey to defend its ally after violations of Turkish airspace by Russian jets, as Michael Fallon scolds Moscow for escalating Syria's civil war


Russia's military intervention in Syria is expected to dominate Nato's defence ministers' meeting in Brussels Photo: AP

Nato is to beef up its posture towards Moscow after condemning a “troubling escalation” in Russia’s air campaign in Syria, provocative Russian incursions into Turkish airspace and the continued menacing of the Baltic states, defence ministers said on Thursday night.

Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary-general, said that the organisation intended to “send a clear message” to show that the world’s most powerful military alliance was prepared to act in defence of its citizens. “Nato will defend you, Nato is on the ground, Nato is ready,” he said.

Nato ministers added they were also ready to deploy its rapid response force to the south “including in Turkey” where Russia this week twice flew into Turkish airspace. “Nato is able and ready to defend all allies, including Turkey, against any threat,” Mr Stoltenberg said.


"In Syria, we have seen a troubling escalation of Russian military activities," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Photo: AP

The assurances were delivered amid growing concerns of an accidental clash in Syria after the US said that that Russia had fired a salvo of cruise missiles into Syria from the Caspian Sea without warning the US-led coalition in Syria and Iraq.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Russia there were other places Turkey could get natural gas and other countries that could build its first nuclear plant in response to the incursions.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right, speaks with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, centre, and British Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon during the NATO meeting in Brussels Photo: AP

"We can't accept the current situation. Russia's explanations on the air space violations are not convincing," the Turkish daily Sabah and others quoted the Turkish president as telling reporters as he flew to Japan for an official visit.

"We are Russia's number one natural gas consumer. Losing Turkey would be a serious loss for Russia. If necessary, Turkey can get its natural gas from many different places," he said.

Credit to telegraph.co.uk