The Biden administration has approved the deployment of 3,000 troops to bolster NATO's eastern flank in response to Russia's ongoing military build-up near Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Biden signed the order for the deployment of the troops to Germany, Romania, and Poland.
The deployment is a major show of support by the U.S. for NATO's efforts to dissuade Russia from launching an invasion. Russia currently has tens of thousands of troops and military equipment amassed near Ukraine's border.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said around 2,000 troops would be deployed from the U.S. to support the approximately 1,000 troops already in Germany. Kirby clarified that the move would not be permanent. He added that they are not expecting the troops to "fight in Ukraine."
Kirby said the deployment of additional troops does not indicate that the U.S. believes Putin has chosen to invade Ukraine or any other nation. Kirby stressed that if Putin does invade Ukraine, there will be repercussions. He said that if Russia does make a move against NATO, it will trigger Article Five of the Collective Defense agreement, forcing the U.S. to come to the defense of its allies.
Last week, the U.S. put 8,500 troops on high alert in case a NATO Response Force is activated, and U.S. forces are required to mobilize. NATO already has tens of thousands of soldiers in Europe that might be used to support any needed deployments to defend its Eastern European allies.
Kirby said the forces that will be sent to Eastern Europe are different from the 8,500 U.S. troops on high alert. He added that the Pentagon is not ruling out the possibility of sending more troops in the coming days and weeks.
Biden signed the order for the deployment following a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Biden said the order was in line with what it has discussed with Russia and what he personally told Russian President Vladimir Putin if he continued to act aggressively.
The order is one of the latest moves made by the U.S. to show Russia that it is prepared to respond in case Putin decides to order an invasion of Ukraine. Despite several rounds of diplomatic negotiations with NATO and the U.S., Russia has refused to recall its forces from the Ukrainian border.
Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the deployment is further proof that there is a reason for the country to be worried. He added that the deployment of troops is only serving to escalate tensions in Europe.
Ukrainian officials welcomed the decision to reinforce NATO's forces in the eastern flank. Officials said they hope to receive additional military supplies such as air defense systems.
