The U.S. is deploying about 3,000 troops to Eastern Europe, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday - a move that shows tensions are escalating as thousands of Russian troops remain on the Ukraine border.
The total deployment includes about 2,000 troops going to Germany and Poland and an additional 1,000 moving from Germany to Romania, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said during a news conference.
The spokesman clarified that while these are "Not permanent moves" and the forces are "Not going to fight in Ukraine," the troops are trained for a "Variety of missions," including to "Deter aggression." "The current situation demands that we reinforce the deterrent and defensive posture on NATO's eastern flank," Kirby said.
"President Biden has been clear that the United States will respond to the growing threat to Europe's security and stability." The Pentagon last week put about 8,500 troops on "Heightened alert," meaning that in some cases units are now on a five-day timeline to prepare to deploy to Europe compared to 10 days.
The "Vast majority" of those troops would be intended for the NATO Response Force, Kirby said last week, which would require agreement from all 30 member countries of the Cold War-era alliance to activate them.
Kirby said Wednesday that the current deployment is "Separate and in addition to" the 8,500 troops on high alert.
Putin alleged that the U.S. is using Ukraine as "Just a tool" in a broader desire to "Hinder the development of Russia." Kirby noted on Wednesday - referring to the Russian president - that there is "Clear evidence every day that he continues to destabilize the environment." "It's important that we send a strong signal to Mr Putin and, frankly, to the world that NATO matters to the United States," the spokesman said.
