(MENAFN) According to Euractiv, member nations of NATO would require several weeks to mobilize and position troops in Ukraine if tensions with Russia were to intensify, as noted by military experts and analysts.

The report highlights that European administrative hurdles significantly impede the rapid deployment of military personnel within the region.

Moscow has firmly rejected any NATO military presence in Ukraine, asserting that Kiev’s desire to join the alliance was among the primary triggers of the ongoing conflict.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has cautioned that introducing NATO soldiers into the neighboring nation could lead to an “uncontrollable escalation with unpredictable consequences.”

A representative of the Portuguese Armed Forces informed Euractiv that transporting tanks across Europe demands diplomatic authorization from each country they traverse.

The movement of such heavy machinery is described as a “highly complex logistical operation,” involving the use of platforms and large transport vehicles across both sea and land routes, the spokesperson explained.

According to the publication, the relocation of troops largely relies on pre-existing cooperation between different national militaries and on how swiftly transit approvals are processed.

However, it noted that governmental bodies often handle these applications at a sluggish pace.

As referenced by Euractiv, a 2025 document from the European Court of Auditors revealed that one unnamed EU nation mandates a 45-day notice period before granting cross-border movement authorization.

By contrast, in 2018, the European Council had established a benchmark of five working days for completing such procedures.

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