Brussels, Europe Brief News – Nato leaders met today for an emergency summit in Brussels
The summit has been held with the attendance of US President Joe Biden.
During the meeting, the alliance agreed to deploy four additional battle groups as it scrambles to strengthen defences. The decision came amid Russia’s invasion.
“In response to Russia’s actions, we have activated NATO’s defence plans, deployed elements of the NATO Response Force, and placed 40,000 troops on our eastern flank,” they announced in a joint statement following the emergency summit in Brussels.
“We are also establishing four additional multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. We are taking all measures and decisions to ensure the security and defence of all Allies across all domains and with a 360-degree approach,” they added.
The statement said the alliance’s measures “remain preventive, proportionate, and non-escalatory”.
The US has earlier announced it will accept up to 100,000 Ukrainians refugees fleeing Russia’s offensive.
The White House said in a statement that Washington would use “the full range of legal pathways,” including the refugee admissions programme, for Ukrainians seeking to enter the country.
“While we expect many Ukrainians will choose to remain in Europe close to family and their homes in Ukraine … we will do our part to welcome Ukrainians to the United States,” it said.
