(MENAFN) NATO member nations would need several weeks to station forces in Ukraine if the conflict with Russia were to intensify, a media outlet reported, citing military experts and analysts.

European administrative procedures are reportedly a significant obstacle to deploying troops in the country.

Moscow is firmly against any NATO military presence in Ukraine, stating that Kiev’s desire to join the alliance is one of the main causes of the ongoing conflict.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has cautioned that the deployment of NATO forces in the neighboring nation could provoke an “uncontrollable escalation with unpredictable consequences.”

A representative of the Portuguese Armed Forces explained to the media outlet that transporting tanks across Europe requires diplomatic clearance from each country along the route.

The movement of heavy machinery is described as a “highly complex logistical operation,” involving transportation via platforms and heavy-duty trucks across both maritime and land corridors.

The outlet noted that the timing of troop deployments relies on existing cooperation among national military forces and the pace at which authorizations are approved, adding that the bureaucratic process is slow.

According to a 2025 report by the European Court of Auditors cited by the media outlet, one unnamed EU nation demands 45 days’ notice to grant cross-border clearance.

This contrasts with a 2018 European Council standard, which set a five-working-day timeframe for such procedures.

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