Germany is to send as many as 1,700 troops who are expected to take part in NATO exercises in Poland later this year.

The German initiative is part of a wider-ranging strategy to boost military cooperation between Poland and Germany in light of the crisis in Ukraine.

The move to send as many troops in unprecedented, writes Wednesday’s Rzeczpospolita daily, as Berlin changes its military policy and approach towards Russia in the wake of its engagement in eastern Ukraine.

Details of the Germany army’s manoeuvres in Poland are still under preparation, although it is clear that troops will take part in NATO’s “Sober Strike” exercise at the Drawsko Pomorskie military training area in June.

Rzeczpospolita reports that a joint Polish-German unit is to be set up along the lines of an existing Franco-German brigade. NATO’s Szczecin headquarters – Multinational Corps Northeast – is also to be bolstered by more Polish, German and Danish troops. (jb)