NATO and U.S. talk increased involvement in Ukraine

World Today

Some NATO countries are considering an increase in defense spending as a result of the Ukraine crisis. Meanwhile, in Poland, U.S. President Obama announced plans to pour a billion dollars into NATO militaries in the region.

U.S. President Obama says that the U.S. will include rotating American troops and F-16 jets in addition to monetary aid in Ukraine. CCTV’s Roee Ruttenberg reports from Kiev.

Follow Roee Ruttenberg on Twitter@RoeeRuttenberg

President Obama announces billion dollar aid to NATO militaries

In Poland, President Obama announced plans to pour a billion dollars into NATO militaries in Ukraine. CCTV's Roee Ruttenberg reports the latest from Kiev.

How will the proposed U.S. military boost in Europe impact U.S.-Russia relations? CCTV’s Elaine Reyes speaks to William Courtney, former U.S. Ambassador to Georgia and Kazakhstan.

Amb. William Courtney on U.S.-Russia relations

How will the proposed U.S. military boost in Europe impact U.S.-Russia relations? CCTV's Elaine Reyes speaks to William Courtney, former U.S. Ambassador to Georgia and Kazakhstan.

NATO members have been meeting in Brussels for a 2-day summit. Defense ministers are discussing a strategy to counter what’s being described as Russia’s attempt to redraw its borders by force. Russia says it is reorganizing its armed forces to strengthen mobility in response to NATO’s plans. CCTV’s Jack Barton reports.

NATO defense ministers talk increased involvement in Ukraine

On Monday, Russia and NATO said their positions had essentially become unbridgeable. Russia accused NATO of encouraging Kiev’s military assault on Ukraine’s east, while NATO accused Russia of fueling tensions there and of supplying arms to separatists.

There were also divisions among allies at NATO, especially over defense spending, which the U.S. wants European members to increase. Europe is also more cautious when it comes to measures such as troop buildups in the east that could provoke the Kremlin.

However, Barak Obama’s pledge of up to one billion dollars to boost defenses in Eastern Europe was warmly welcomed. On Tuesday NATO members also committed to boosting air and sea patrols in the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, on top of the reinforcements that have already been sent to countries like Lithuania, Latvia and Poland over the past few months.