OTTAWA- NATO will have to consider permanently stationing troops in eastern Europe as a result of the increased tension between Russia and Ukraine, the alliance's top military commander said on Tuesday.
NATO has arranged a number of short-term rotations of personnel and equipment in eastern Europe but these are due to finish at the end of 2014.
Asked whether NATO might have to look at permanently stationing troops in eastern Europe, top NATO military commander General Philip Breedlove told a news conference in Ottawa: "I think this is something we will have to consider and we will tee this up for discussion through the leaderships of our nations to see where that leads."