By Lisa Ferdinando
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
BRUSSELS, Jan. 21, 2015 – The U.S. military says Russia has
"funneled hundreds of pieces of Russian military equipment" to
Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. The comments from the spokesman of the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff came today, on the first day of a two-day
defense chiefs meeting at NATO headquarters here.
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, who is attending the NATO
meeting, is "closely following" reports of Russian activity inside
Ukraine, said spokesman Air Force Col. Ed Thomas.
"Among the most pressing issues for the group is NATO's
planning and readiness to secure its eastern flank. It's been a dominant factor
for the alliance since Russian forces entered Crimea," Thomas said.
He declined to discuss specifics about the reports of
Russian activity, but did acknowledge a Russian role in the ongoing conflict.
"Since the September 5th Minsk ceasefire, Russia has
funneled hundreds of pieces of Russian military equipment and materiel to
Russia-backed separatists, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, and
heavy artillery pieces," Thomas said.
"Russian military forces still operate in eastern
Ukraine, where they play a coordinating role and provide command and control
support to pro-Russian separatists," he said.
NATO Focus on Russia
In the opening session today, the chairman of the NATO
Military Committee, Danish Gen. Knud Bartels, said Russia's "illegal
military intervention" in Ukraine remains a "significant cause for
concern."
The events in Ukraine are "shaping our thinking on
NATO’s security challenges," he said.
"We have seen in Ukraine the use of hybrid warfare
which combines traditional, conventional and paramilitary operations, as well
as sophisticated disinformation campaigns," the Danish general said.
Because of the developments in Ukraine, the Ukrainian chief
of defense was "forced at very short notice to cancel his attendance"
at the meeting, Bartels said.
The centerpiece for NATO's' response to the recent Russian
aggression is cooperation on what the alliance has dubbed the Readiness Action
Plan.
NATO heads of state agreed to the plan at the Wales summit
in September. Alliance officials say the plan will "significantly enhance
NATO’s readiness and responsiveness" and ensure that NATO forces remain
ready.
In the interim, NATO has established a Very High Readiness
Joint Task Force coordinated by Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, Supreme
Allied Commander Europe.
NATO has already increased maritime, land and air presence
in Eastern Europe as member nations hammer out a final plan. The U.S. has
stepped up its presence in Eastern Europe through a variety of reassurance
measures to include airborne exercises in Poland and the Baltic nations.
But NATO leaders from countries like Greece and Italy are
equally focused on the security of the alliance's southern flank, where U.S.
and European officials warn about the flow of extremists and the danger it
poses to the region.
"The threat to Europe and the West posed by smuggling
and foreign fighters returning from the Middle East requires collaborative
solutions," Thomas said. "As the attack on Paris underscored, this is
a threat that is real and immediate."
NATO must continue to have the capability and capacity to
counter threats to its border, Bartels said.
"The growing instability in the south compounds the
challenges facing the alliance," Bartels said.
Afghanistan a topic for alliance members
Coalition commitments to Afghanistan's long-term success are
on the agenda, according to Thomas. "We have a willing partner in the
government of Afghanistan and U.S. and coalition commitment will remain
key," he said.
The alliance has opened a "new chapter" in its
relationship with Afghanistan, Bartels said, noting that one year ago the
alliance was focused on the International Stabilization Force in Afghanistan.
"This mandate was carried out at significant cost and
with substantial success," he said. "We will always remember the
sacrifice of the international and Afghan forces, who deserve our respect and
our gratitude."
As of January 2015, the alliance is conducting a train,
assist, and advise mission in support of the Afghan National Security Forces,
Bartels said.
"We are well aware that although this is a non-combat
mission, it is conducted in a combat environment," he said.
Threats in North Africa, Middle East
The chiefs of defense were also examining the "dynamic
and evolving situation" in regards to regional security challenges in
North Africa and the Middle East, Bartels said.
The alliance members had a session Wednesday with the NATO
Mediterranean Dialogue partner nations. The group is comprised of seven
non-NATO countries of the Mediterranean region: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan,
Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.
Bartels said the Thursday session will provide an
opportunity to develop the military advice to NATO’s Political Guidance 2015,
which will be agreed in June by NATO’s defense ministers.
Posts
