Washington Examiner:

Russia’s war in Ukraine precipitated NATO’s “unprecedented level of alliance planning for defense,” Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command, said on Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has used a supposed threat from NATO as justification for invading Ukraine, and he hoped to divide the alliance, but the war has had the opposite effect.

“It was the [Deterrence and Defense of the Euro-Atlantic Area] strategy that enabled allies to rapidly strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense posture in all domains before and after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in a coherent and purpose-driven manner,” Cavoli explained during Tuesday’s virtual Center for European Policy Analysis Forum. “This strengthened posture is now shielding NATO allies, and it reduces the risk of the conflict widening. It also both reflects and reinforces our alliance’s unity.”

In discussing their strengthened posture on the eastern flank of the alliance, he said, “This force is complemented by national forces and totals over 150,000 troops. These land forces are supported by a very significant number of air and maritime forces, including air and missile defense capabilities. Our forces are at a high level of readiness, and we have a strategically advantageous posture.”

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