OTTAWA — Canada's defence minister says Russia should take NATO plans to establish a series of six command centres deep inside eastern Europe as a sign to "back off" in Ukraine.
The tough talk from Rob Nicholson followed a meeting of the military alliance's defence ministers in Brussels, where it was agreed the units would be deployed in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Bulgaria.
The command centres, which are intended to smooth the way for the rapid deployment of troops in a crisis in each of those countries, will likely be seen as a provocation by President Vladimir Putin's regime.
Nicholson did not make an immediate commitment to send soldiers to help staff the units, saying instead that the Harper government will examine where it can best help out.
NATO defence ministers also agreed to increase the size of the rapid reaction force, which alliance leaders promised to create last September in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and Russia's annexation of Crimea.
The ministers also met with government representatives of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, which is calling for admission to NATO — something Nicholson says Canada wholeheartedly supports.
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