United States places up to 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe
As many as 8,500 US troops have been put on heightened alert for a possible deployment to Eastern Europe amid escalating tensions as Russia has amassed troops on the border of Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued the prepare to deploy orders at the direction of President Joe Biden as the U.S. prepares for a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine that analysts said could be imminent.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that all of the troops are currently stationed in the US and would be on standby to take part in NATO’s Response Force (NRF) if it is activated. The United States “has taken steps to heighten the readiness of its forces at home and abroad so they are prepared to respond to a range of contingencies, including support to the NATO Response Force if it is activated”.
Kirby said that the “bulk of” US troops placed on heightened alert were intended to bolster NATO’s quick response force, but added they would be “postured to be ready for any other contingencies as well” so that the United States would be in a position to rapidly deploy additional brigade combat teams, logistics, medical, aviation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, transportation, and additional capabilities into Europe.
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said the US had “a sacred obligation to support the security of our eastern flank countries”.
Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell sought to calm Western fears over the Ukraine crisis after talks with US Secretary of State Blinken.
Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s secretary general, said the “deteriorating security situation” had driven the military alliance to strengthen its “collective defence”.
Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is set to deploy four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania in support of NATO’s long-standing air-policing mission in the region. Spain is sending ships to join NATO naval forces and is considering sending fighter jets to Bulgaria. France has expressed its readiness to send troops to Romania under NATO command. The Netherlands is sending two F-35 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria from April to support NATO’s air-policing activities in the region, and is putting a ship and land-based units on standby for NATO’s Response Force. France has also expressed readiness to send French troops to Romania under NATO command.
