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NATO promises ‘military measures’ in Eastern Europe, Canada continues to review its role

For weeks, the international community has talked tough against Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, NATO's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen upped the ante promising to increase its military footprint in Eastern Europe amid growing concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions in the region.

"Today, we agreed on a package of further military measures to reinforce our collective defence and demonstrate the strength of Allied solidarity," Rasmussen said in a statement.

"We will have more planes in the air, more ships on the water, and more readiness on the land.

"For example, air policing aircraft will fly more sorties over the Baltic region. Allied ships will deploy to the Baltic Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean and elsewhere, as required. Military staff from Allied nations will deploy to enhance our preparedness, training and exercises. Our defence plans will be reviewed and reinforced."

In response to a question from a reporter, Rasmussen added that NATO does have the capacity to implement these measures.

"We already know that some Allies will come forward with concrete contributions and I’m sure that more will follow," he said.

[ Related: Combat vehicles in east Ukraine city fly Russian flags; unclear who the masked men on them are ]

Just weeks after Russia annexed Crimea, tens of thousands of Russian soldiers are now believed to have massed upon the eastern Ukrainian borders. Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatists have taken over government buildings and facilities in about 10 eastern Ukrainian towns and cities.

The tensions have raised the ire and alert level of NATO members Poland Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. According to the Associated Press, those countries have demanded that the alliance provide a more "robust military posture to counter neighboring Russia."

[ Related: Ukraine launches "special operation" against separatists ]

While the Harper government has instituted a number of sanctions and travel bans against the Russian regime, it remains to be seen whether or not they'll contribute militarily to NATO's new package.

"We thank the Supreme Allied Commander for his recommendations resulting from the meeting of foreign minister’s two weeks ago," Adam Hodge, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, told Yahoo Canada News in an email exchange.

"Canada takes its role in NATO very seriously, and we have been, and continue to review ways that Canada can play a constructive role in this reassurance package. We continue to condemn Russia for its illegal and irresponsible actions in Ukraine and call on the Russia Federation to de-escalate tensions immediately."

Hodge added that Baird will be visiting NATO allies -- Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia -- in the coming days "to show Canada’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our allies and partners in Central and Eastern Europe."

Canada's most notable recent contribution to a NATO mission was the 2011 bombing of Libya. Canada sent six CF-18s, three planes for air-to-air refueling and two reconnaissance aircraft.

In light of a desire for European countries to do more for NATO, defence budget cuts and political sensitivities ahead of the 2015 election, however, the Harper government might not be so enthusiastic to get as involved this time around.

(Photo courtesy Reuters)

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