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US President Joe Biden mentioned Friday he’ll quickly ship a small variety of US troops to bolster the NATO presence in Jap Europe, amid issues round a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The USA and different Western nations have voiced concern over the buildup of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine, claiming that Russia is planning an incursion. Russia has insisted it doesn’t plan to invade Ukraine and has demanded safety ensures from NATO, together with a promise that Ukraine is not going to be part of the navy alliance.
Ukraine’s navy has been getting ready for the opportunity of a Russian invasion
What did Biden say?
“I will be shifting US troops to Jap Europe and the NATO nations within the close to time period. Not lots,” Biden informed reporters.
This week, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby mentioned 8,500 troops had been on “heightened alert” for attainable deployment to help NATO.
Ukraine will not be a member of NATO, however the US fears spillover into neighboring NATO nations if Russia does assault Ukraine.
In a press convention final week, Biden mentioned the US would improve troop presence within the area within the occasion of a Russian invasion.
“We’ll really improve troop presence in Poland, in Romania, and many others. if, the truth is, [Putin] strikes [troops into Ukraine],” Biden mentioned. “They’re a part of NATO.”
Russia has a ‘full vary of choices’
In the meantime, US Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned Friday that the buildup of Russian forces close to Ukraine’s border has reached the purpose the place Russian President Vladimir Putin has an entire vary of navy choices.
“Whereas we do not consider that President Putin has made a closing choice to make use of these forces in opposition to Ukraine, he clearly now has the aptitude,” Austin mentioned at a Pentagon information convention.
Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the counterproposals despatched by the US had been higher than these despatched by NATO
Austin mentioned Putin may use any portion of his pressure to grab Ukrainian cities and “vital territories” or to hold out “coercive acts or provocative political acts,” like the popularity of jap Ukraine’s pro-Russia breakaway states.
Earlier this week, the US and NATO formally rejected Russian calls for round safety ensures, whereas sending counterproposals to Russia. Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the counterproposals despatched by the US had been higher than these despatched by NATO.
sdi/sms (AP, AFP)
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