Before Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, NATO had no plans to send troops to the eastern part of our Alliance…

"Before Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine, NATO had no plans to send troops to the eastern part of our Alliance," said the NATO Secretary General Jens Stolteberg at the  plenary session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Istanbul.

According to him, the aim of the Alliance is to prevent rather than to provoke conflicts. “Strong defence coupled with meaningful dialogue. When tensions run high, it is even more important to keep channels of communication open. With increasing military activity close to our borders, we must do everything we can to prevent military incidents or accidents.  And if they occur, we must keep them from spiraling out of control. That is why we held two meetings of the NATO-Russia Council this year,” he said.