US and allies discuss deploying more troops to Eastern Europe ahead of any Russian invasion of Ukraine
Among the countries considering accepting the deployment are Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. The deployments will have around 1,000 personnel per country and will be similar to the forward battle groups currently stationed in the Baltic states and Poland.
The US and UK are among those considering deployment ahead of the invasion, but not all of the 30 NATO members are ready, according to a European diplomat, a European diplomat said. As a result, the US is in discussion to send additional forces on a bilateral basis or, as one official described it, as a “coalition of readiness”.
Overall, the U.S. military goal will be to “meet the capabilities” that NATO allies in the region are asking for, another defense official said last week. US forces can operate unilaterally as they have done in Europe, but can also operate under existing NATO command structures.
The ability to deploy some forces closer to Russia’s doorstep before an invasion marks a shift in the administration, which had previously been wary of risking further provoking Moscow. The move could be weaponized by the Kremlin as an example of the kind of NATO belligerent posture Russia is using to justify its force build-up along the Ukrainian border.
Kirby told CNN on Tuesday that some troops were also on high alert “just for the sake of the United States to see if we need to continue to reassure on a bilateral basis with some of our allies.” Our NATO in Europe or not.” And President Joe Biden also said on Tuesday that he “may be able to deploy some of those troops in the near future, just because it takes time” and because America’s Eastern European allies have “reason to be concerned.” .”
According to two sources, President Biden originally planned to make public remarks on the situation with Russia, but it is unclear at this time whether he wants the White House to continue to try and engage with Russia diplomatically. delivered or not.
The military plan comes amid growing US concern that another Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen at any time and in a short time.
“When we said it was going to happen, it was still going to happen,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during Tuesday’s daily briefing. “But again, we cannot make predictions about what decision President Putin will make. We are still engaged in diplomatic discussions and negotiations.”
EDIT: This story has been updated to clarify that the US and its allies are in discussion about deploying around 1,000 troops to Eastern European countries including Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.
