The UK is considering sending hundreds of additional troops to Ukraine's neighbors as a "deterrent" for Russia, the Times writes, citing Defense Ministry sources.

NATO member states have held high-level talks on whether to strengthen their presence in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

The UK leads a 1,200-strong battlegroup in Estonia, where it has 830 troops, tanks, armored fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery, engineers, air defense and reconnaissance. Over 300 French troops also make up the battle group. There are also 140 British troops in Poland as part of NATO's expanded Forward Presence mission.

Under plans being discussed at the Department of Defense, the UK is considering reinforcing these missions with hundreds of combat-ready soldiers that can be deployed at short notice.