Breaking – NATO wants a permanent military presence on the Hungarian-Ukrainian border
The general secretary of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, said that they would like to establish a permanent presence on the Eastern borders of the military alliance. He added that the new troops would be a response to possible Russian aggression in the future.
NATO sees the Russian threat as the new reality
According to blikk.hu, Stoltenberg said that what we are experiencing is the new reality, the new order of European security. Therefore, he asked the alliance commanders to prepare for the long-term adaptation of NATO to that situation. The general secretary added that the June NATO summit in Madrid would decide what to do next. He highlighted that NATO is transforming because of the deeds of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
As we reported before, NATO decided in March that they would create new battlegroups in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia.
The Czechs want American troops
Based on 24.hu, the Czech Republic would like to have some form of US military presence in the country. Defence Minister Jana Cernochová said she would like to raise that issue in their next bilateral meeting. That is scheduled after Easter with her American colleague, Lloyd Austin.
Prague would, for example, allow the USA to use some of its military bases like Slovakia did before. Prime Minister Petr Fiala said such decisions were so important that the government could not decide alone. They need the authorisation of the Parliament. Moreover, Cernochová confirmed that the Czechs would buy 12 or more American helicopters.
Refugees keep coming to Hungary
Meanwhile, Ukrainian refugees continue to arrive in Hungary every day. According to MTI, a total of 5,213 people crossed into Hungary directly from Ukraine on Saturday, while another 5,045 from Ukraine crossed from Romania, the national police headquarters told MTI on Sunday. Police issued temporary residence permits valid for thirty days to 930 people, the police website reported. Holders of such permits must contact a local immigration office near their place of residence within thirty days to apply for permanent documents, it added.
Budapest police received 531 refugees, 210 children among them, by train, according to the municipal police website.
Refugees arriving on special train services at Kőbnya felső railway station, in eastern Budapest, were taken by bus to the BOK sports and events centre serving as a humanitarian transit point. The authorities transported 22 people, including 11 children, to accommodation in the capital and outlying areas.
Source: 24.hu, blikk.hu, MTI, DNH