Business

US puts 8,500 troops on standby before NATO meeting on Ukraine

The United States has deployed some 8,500 troops in deployable status to central and eastern Europe to help bolster NATO’s defenses as Western leaders rally to forge a unified response to the conflict. threat from the Russians. invasion of Ukraine.

John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, said: “Even as we continue to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue, we must also increase our readiness to support this country’s obligations to security and NATO’s defense as well as the security of its citizens abroad.

“Follow the direction of the chairman and follow the recommendations of the secretary [Lloyd] Austin, USA has taken steps to increase the readiness of its forces at home and abroad,” he added. “They are ready to respond to a variety of contingencies, including in support of the Nato Response Force, if that force is activated.”

Kirby noted that no decision has yet been made on whether to deploy the troops. NATO’s multinational response force, if activated, will deploy up to 40,000 personnel.

The Pentagon’s announcement comes shortly before President Joe Biden will hold a video conference from the White House situation room with Western leaders to coordinate the response to a Russian attack on Russia. Ukraine is said to be imminent.

Western countries are discussing a package of economic and financial sanctions to be imposed on Russia as well as military aid to Kyiv and the deployment of troops, planes and warships for protection. NATO allies in Eastern and Central Europe.

According to the White House, the call is expected to include Boris Johnson, British prime minister, Olaf Scholz, German chancellor, Emmanuel Macron, French president, Andrzej Duda, Polish prime minister, and Mario Draghi, prime minister Italy, as well as EU leaders and Secretary General Nato.

Virtual meeting of Western leaders after days of escalation warns that a possible Russian invasion going to happen, which included a British warning that Moscow was plotting to set up a pro-Kremlin puppet government in Ukraine.

In an ominous statement, Johnson said on Monday that there was evidence of Russian plans “for a flash war that could bring down” the Ukrainian capital, which would be “painful business, violent and bloody” towards Moscow. “I think it is very important that people in Russia understand that this could be a new Chechnya,” he said.

Britain on Monday ordered some embassy staff and family members to leave Ukraine. The move comes after the US on Sunday asked family members of its embassy staff to leave Kyiv because of the risk of “significant military action” by Russia.

Despite the growing military conflict, Western diplomats continue to emphasize that a diplomatic solution remains a possibility. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US would send a written response to Russia’s requests in the coming days, which could defuse tensions and create the basis for a settlement.

Source link

news7h

News7h: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button