Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Monday that there is "low-level" discussion ongoing to determine if there should be any U.S. troops sent to Ukraine, according to the Associated Press.
The United States does not plan to send combat forces to Urkraine, but indicated that troops could be sent to the U.S. embassy in Kyiv for security or other non-combat roles.
Since the U.S. embassy in Kyiv has partially reopened, some have wondered if there will be Marine security force placed there for protection.
Milley was asked if there would potentially be any U.S. special operations forces sent to Ukraine, but it appears that is not being considered at this time, and would need President Joe Biden to make an official decision.
"Any reintroduction of U.S. forces into Ukraine would require a presidential decision. So we’re a ways away from anything like that," Milley said.
Milley went on to detail how many U.S. troops have been placed in Europe since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the end of February. He said there were 74,000 troops in the fall, months before the invasion, and there is now 102,000 troops in Europe.
That includes "24 surface ships, four submarines, 12 fighter jet squadrons, two combat aviation units, and six Army brigade combat teams, along with their division and corps leaderships," according to the AP.
Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters that about 50 defense leaders worldwide agreed to send more advanced weapons to Ukraine to fight against Russia. This includes a Harpoon launcher and missiles to so they can better protect its coast.
He did not say if the U.S. will agree to Ukraine's request for a shipment of high-tech mobile rocket launchers.
"We've gained a sharper, shared sense of Ukraine’s priority requirements and the situation on the battlefield," Austin said at the meeting. "Many countries are donating critically needed artillery ammunition, coastal defense systems and tanks and other armored vehicles. Others came forward with new commitments for training."
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