Europe

NATO summit to raise military presence in Poland, region

Associated Press
Published | Updated

NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, gestures during a press conference with Polish President, Andrzej Duda in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, May 30, 2016. Stoltenberg came to Poland for a two-day visit ahead of the NATO summit in Warsaw in July. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) (The Associated Press)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, left, and Polish President Andrzej Duda pose for a photo prior to a press conference in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, May 30, 2016. Stoltenberg came to Poland for a two-day visit ahead of the NATO summit in Warsaw in July. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) (The Associated Press)

NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, left, and Polish President, Andrzej Dud,a shake hands after a press conference in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, May 30, 2016. Stoltenberg came to Poland for a two-day visit, ahead of the NATO summit in Warsaw in July. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) (The Associated Press)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says an upcoming "landmark summit" will enhance the alliance's defensive and deterrent presence in Poland and in the region, but decisions as to the number are still haven't been finalized.

Stoltenberg spoke Monday in Warsaw, which will host a July 8-9 NATO summit that will give security guarantees to Poland and other nations on its eastern flank concerned about Russia.

He said that several battalions will be placed in Poland, the Baltic States and elsewhere in the region that will raise NATO presence in troops, equipment, prepositioning and infrastructure.

Speaking alongside Stoltenberg, Polish President Andrzej Duda said it's crucial for the summit to show that NATO is united and shows internal solidarity in the face of threats from the East and South.