NATO set to agree on biggest overhaul of defences since the Cold War - including expansion of 40,000-strong response force

Russia's invasion of Ukraine - which is not in NATO - has triggered a fundamental rethink in how the alliance deters President Vladimir Putin from attacking any of its 30 member states

NATO looks set to agree next week to the biggest overhaul of its defences since the Cold War, including a major expansion of a 40,000-strong force on alert to respond in a crisis.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine - which is not in NATO - has triggered a fundamental rethink in how the alliance deters President Vladimir Putin from attacking any of its 30 member states, according to interviews and briefings with half a dozen military officers and diplomats.

Long-standing defence plans that had not received much traction prior to 24 February - the day Moscow launched its all-out assault on Kyiv - are starting to become a reality as leaders meet for a landmark summit in Spain from 28-30 June.

"Overnight the mentality changed," said a NATO military officer. "NATO now feels like it is electrified. You can feel the energy surging through the system."

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https://news.sky.com/story/nato-set-to-agree-biggest-overhaul-of-defences-since-the-cold-war-including-expansion-of-40-000-strong-response-force-12638817