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NATO’s military build-up in eastern Europe is not an attempt to provoke Russian aggression, the alliance’s chief said today.

As Britain plans to move 800 soldiers to Estonia by May next year as part of Nato’s pledge to defend its eastern flank, the organisation’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg insisted it was not a bid to start a new Cold War.

On Radio 4’s Today programme, he said the military presence was there to provide a deterrent and “not to provoke conflict”.

But he added that the move is a reminder to adversaries that an attack on one Nato member will trigger a response from the whole alliance.

On Nato’s decision to deploy troops and aircraft, he said: “Russia is stronger than it was some years ago and Russia is a power which is willing to use military force against neighbours and we have seen a substantial use of military force.

“Add to that Russia is a nuclear power and is using nuclear rhetoric to try and intimidate other European nations... so we take this seriously and that’s the reason why Nato is adapting and responding in a measured, defensive way.

“We don’t want a new Cold War. Actually we will continue to strive for a more co-operative and more constructive relationship with Russia but we have to do that based on collective defence deterrents.”

Tensions in the region have been high since the Russian annexation of Crimea from the Ukraine in 2014.

Ukraine is not a member of Nato but other states in the region are, including Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. All six countries will host Nato forces.

Mr Stoltenberg defended comments he made earlier this week about Russia intending to use its Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to target civilians in Syria.

The Kremlin had branded his remarks as absurd, but the Nato chief repeated his fears that the Russian naval fleet which passed through the Channel last week would be used in bombing raids.

He said it is a risk the fleet will “be used in offensive attacks and air strikes against Aleppo”.@KateProctorES