As tensions continue to grow between Ukraine and Russia, President Joe Biden has directed the Pentagon to deploy more than 3,000 American troops to aid its U.S. European allies, according to U.S. officials.
The deployment of troops is the first significant movement of U.S. forces since the military standoff between Russia and Ukraine began.
To bolster NATO and European allies, Biden is sending almost 2,000 troops from Fort Bragg to Poland and Germany this week while also repositioning about 1,000 soldiers, a part of the Germany-based infantry Stryker squadron to Romania, on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s eastern flank closest to Russia, officials said, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The Pentagon is also expected to make other moves with the forces it has currently in Europe. According to officials, several thousand more troops have been ordered to be on standby to deploy.
This order is on top of the 8,500 troops who were given similar orders when things continued to escalate last week, the Journal reported.
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The moves are an effort to deter any attacks on Ukraine by Russia and avert war in Eastern Europe, according to officials.
The Biden administration is still working to resolve the issue on the diplomatic front, readying numerous economic sanctions if Russia were to attack Ukraine. The White House is also preparing an authorization to transfer some weapons and other equipment to Ukraine should an attack happen.
Following a meeting on Tuesday with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley, Biden signed off on the military proposals.
There currently are a few hundred American military special operation forces and trainers inside Ukraine, but none of the troops on the move are authorized to enter the country.
Deployments expected over the next few days are also expected to be temporary measures, officials said. However, there was no clarification on their specific missions.
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