The possible troop deployments come amid warnings from the United States that a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine could be imminent. The State Department this Sunday reduced the staff of the US embassy. in Kyiv, Ukraine. Non-essential staff and family members were ordered to leave out of “an abundance of caution.”
The administration of United States President Joe Biden is considering moving between 1,000 and 5,000 soldiers. Precisely, both to shore up allies in Eastern Europe and the Baltic and to be available in case US citizens need to be evacuated, according to a senior defense official.
The goal of sending military reinforcements to Eastern Europe would be to provide a deterrent and reassure the allies. There is also no suggestion that US troops will be deployed to Ukraine or engaged in combat roles.
NATO countries have also sent additional warships and warplanes to Eastern Europe, as well as putting forces on standby, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement on Monday.
“NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies, including strengthening the eastern part of the alliance,” Stoltenberg said.
Ukraine indicates that Russia has now deployed more than 127,000 troops to the region. Meanwhile, US officials have said Russia is ready to launch an invasion at any time.
US officials still don’t know what Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to do or whether he has decided to invade Ukraine. But some officials who have seen the intelligence say there is evidence that Russia plans to try to take Kyiv and topple the government, as they have told CNN previously.