As the NATO Defense Ministers meeting continues, many expect the messaging will remain the same as well.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has been delivering the same, well-rehearsed lines for the last week. The oft-repeated phrase of cautious optimism and seeking a peaceful diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis, whilst offering threats if Russia were to invade, and the promise of bolstering troops and equipment on NATO's eastern flank.

It's been reported that the Russian Foreign Ministry is 'no longer interested' in what Stoltenberg has to say.

But further details have been announced about this change of 'posture' in the east, with talk of new battlegroups, and military commanders tasked to come up with 'options.' and report back.

Russia has long said that NATO's eastward expansion is in itself an act of aggression. Secretary-General Stoltenberg has a lot of past experience telling press conferences that "NATO is a defensive force," and "isn't a threat" to Russia.

Despite what Moscow says, there is no indication Russia is withdrawing troops from the Ukraine border and it seems NATO is not willing to change its plans about greater military resources in Eastern Europe.

"We are deadly serious in how we're going to face the threat that is currently being posed to both Ukraine and potentially to our security," UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace said.

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But Stoltenberg also repeated his calls for a peaceful solution:

"It is not too late for Russia to step back from the brink of conflict and choose the path of peace. NATO has sent concrete Russian proposals to NATO on transparency, risk reduction and arms control. We have yet to receive a response. I reiterate my invitation to Russia to meet again in the NATO Russia council."

Moscow is expected to reply to the proposals on Thursday. 

NATO has also said there is a 'new normal' when it comes to the security situation in Europe, with Russia "willing to contest some of the fundamental principles for our security." 

It suggests that regardless of what happens in the coming days, a long term policy shift has happened.

On day two of the Defence Ministers Meeting NATO members are talking to their counterparts from Georgia and Ukraine. That's being seen as another chance to show European unity in the face of Russian aggression. Meanwhile, just a few miles down the road from NATO, the European Parliament voted to approve $1.36 billion in financial aid to Ukraine.

NATO is also looking at bolstering battle groups already in the Baltics and Poland - currently totalling around 5,000 troops - which were deployed in 2017 in response to Russia's seizure of Crimea.

With many unknowns in the crisis, one thing appears to be fairly certain: that European support from Ukraine continues, and the same messaging cycle will begin again, in a bid to stop a war.

Cover image: Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP