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Thousands of Nato troops in show of force with military exercise

Nato staged a major military exercise in Latvia in a practical demonstration of leaders' commitment to defend its Baltic member states in the face of aggression from larger neighbours.

Around 500 paratroopers, hundreds of vehicles and aircraft are taking part in the exercise in Latvia's capital Riga. Exercise 'Steadfast Javelin II' simulates a deployment of Nato soldiers and equipment in another country in a crisis situation.

At a two-day Nato summit meeting in Wales members agreed to form a new rapid reaction force and to step up exercises in eastern Europe in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

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Alexander: 'Judge Putin by his actions not his words'

Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander MP, has responded to the Ukraine ceasefire deal, said that the international community should judge Russian President Putin by his 'actions not his words'.

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander. Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Russia’s belligerence in the face of international laws and norms cannot be tolerated by the international community.

Coordinated EU and US action to put pressure on President Putin has been key to bringing about this latest agreement. The international community must now judge President Putin by his actions and not simply his words, and be ready to increase the pressure further if he refuses to change course.

– Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary

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