Kiev, Ukraine (CNN) -- NATO members meeting this week in Wales are expected to create "a very high-readiness force" to deal with Russian aggression in Ukraine and other international conflicts, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Monday. In a speech on the NATO website, Rasmussen said the fighting force will be part of an overall Readiness Action Plan that "responds to Russia's aggressive behavior -- but it equips the alliance to respond to all security challenges, wherever they may arise." He said this "spearhead" force would be able to "travel light, but strike hard if needed." NATO will look at possible upgrades to infrastructure that could include airfields and ports, he said.
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NEW: New NATO unit not a threat to Russia, White House says
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NATO Leader: New unit will "travel light, but strike hard if needed
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Moscow asks Ukrainian military to retreat from civilian locations
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calls for talks, not threats of sanctions
New bases will be set up and equipment pre-positioned at bases, a @placeholder diplomatic source said.
On the ground, @placeholder forces appear to be outgunned by Russian rebels.