NATO to begin training of troops close to Russia border in Norway

Russia-Ukraine conflict: While the training programme was planned long before Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, it now has added significance because of the war. Some 30,000 troops, 200 aircraft and 50 vessels from 27 nations will take part in the exercise, the largest involving NATO troops this year.

Troops of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and its partners will begin a training exercise on Monday in Norway. Aimed at coming to the rescue of one of its own, the NATO exercise will be held a few hundred kilometres away from the borders of Russia that has expanded its offensive in Ukraine and is currently closing in on its capital Kyiv.

US soldiers walk to a chartered plane during their deployment to Europe. The unit will join the 3,800 troops, already deployed in support of NATO in Eastern Europe. (AP)

On Friday, US President Joe Biden said he would defend NATO to the point of World War III, but he would not risk touching off a wider conflict by fighting Russia in Ukraine and ruled out establishing a no-fly zone.

While NATO’s training programme was planned long before Moscow's invasion of Ukraine that is now its third week leading to massive bloodshed and destruction, it now has added significance because of the war.

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"This exercise is extremely important for the security of Norway and its allies. We will practice an allied reinforcement of Norway", Norwegian Defence Minister Odd Roger Enoksen told news agency AFP.

Some 30,000 troops, 200 aircraft and 50 vessels from 27 nations will take part in the Cold Response 2022 exercise, the largest exercise involving NATO troops this year.

Kicking off on March 14, the manoeuvres will enable Western nations to hone their combat skills in Norway's cold climate, including in the Arctic, on the ground, at sea and in the skies. "It is not being held because of the Russian authorities' attack on Ukraine, but given the backdrop there is a heightened significance", he said.

The guardian of NATO's northern border in Europe, Norway is keen to test how it would manage Allied reinforcements on its soil, in line with Article 5 of NATO's charter, which requires member states to come to the aid of another member state under attack.

Neighbouring Sweden and Finland, which are officially military non-aligned but increasingly close partners of NATO, will also participate in Cold Response, which will conclude on April 1.

Meanwhile, Russia has declined an invitation to send observers to the exercise. "Any build-up of NATO military capabilities near Russia's borders does not help to strengthen security in the region," said the Russian embassy in Norway.

Last week, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is no longer pressing for NATO membership for his country, a delicate issue that was one of Russia's stated reasons for invading its pro-Western neighbour.

(With inputs from agencies)