British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon has warned that there is a "real and present danger" that Russian President Vladimir Putin will launch a campaign of undercover attacks to destabilize the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, Russia's smaller neighbors on the western side.
Fallon's warning comes close on the heels of British Prime Minister David Cameron's statement that Europe should give a very firm and strong message to Russia about possible economic and financial consequences for "many years to come" if it did not stop destabilizing Ukraine.
Michael Fallon made the comments to reporters from the Times and Daily Telegraph who accompanied him during a flight to Sierra Leone Wednesday.
The British defense chief said he is worried about Putin's pressure on the Baltics, "the way he is testing NATO."
The Russian leader might use tactics on the ex-Soviet states similar to the Kremlin-backed subversion strategy used in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, according to Fallon.
This may include infiltration, propaganda, incognito forces and cyber attack to inflame ethnic tensions in the three Baltic states, which are NATO members.
Putin was as much of a threat to Europe as Islamic State, according to the Defense Secretary.
NATO is getting ready to respond to any aggression on the alliance's eastern flank, Fallon said.
NATO Defense Ministers earlier this month had decided to strengthen the Alliance's collective defense in the wake of the changing security environment to the east and south of the Alliance's borders. They agreed to establish a very high readiness force or Spearhead Force, which will consist of a land brigade of around 5,000 troops, supported by air, sea and special forces that could be deployed in case of a major crisis.
Fallon's remarks coincided with Ukrainian troop withdrawal from the eastern town of Debaltseve, which has been mostly under the control of the pro-Russian separatists.
Russia has denied aiding pro-Russian rebels in the prolonged deadly fight in eastern Ukraine, but Ukraine's Ministry of Defense is set to expose on Saturday evidence of Russian troops' aggression in the country.
Combat vehicles, armament and equipment used by Russian regular troops and illegal armed formations against the Ukrainian army in eastern Ukraine will be displayed at Mykhailivska Square in capital Kyiv.
The exposition of heavy weapons captured by Ukraine's forces from the front-line will demonstrate the Russian troops' support to the rebels and their direct participation in the conflict in Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts, the Defense Ministry said.
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