NATO to Shun Major Eastern Footprint in Nod to Russia

NATO will stop short of basing substantial combat forces in eastern Europe to avoid a complete rupture in relations with Russia, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

A North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit next month will settle on other ways of protecting the alliance’s eastern flank, including previously floated plans for more war-games, a more robust command structure and warehousing equipment that would be needed in an emergency, Merkel and allied officials said.