The Biden administration is considering bolstering U.S. forces in Eastern Europe and the Baltics to counter Russia’s threatened invasion of Ukraine. No final decision has been made but the move represents a major change if only to help evacuate Americans in the region and to ease fears among U.S. allies. One option being presented is to mobilize 1000 to 5000 troops.
The move would signal a major pivot for the Biden administration, which up until recently was taking a restrained stance on Ukraine, out of fear of provoking Russia into invading. But as President Vladimir V. Putin has ramped up his threatening actions toward Ukraine, and talks between American and Russian officials have failed to discourage him, the administration is now moving away from its do-not-provoke strategy.
The New York Times
CNN reports that President Biden is in the “final stages” of identifying troop units that could be deployed to eastern Europe.
Biden will hold a secure video call with European leaders on Monday afternoon, which the White House said was part of the administration’s consultation and coordination with European allies in response to Russia’s military buildup. One option the Biden administration is considering is moving between 1,000 to 5,000 troops, both to shore up Eastern European and Baltic allies and so they are available to help get American citizens out, if necessary, according to a senior defense official.
CNN
So far, assistance to Ukraine has been limited to munitions and supplies.
Last December, the White House authorized a $200 million security assistance package that provides Ukraine with small arms and ammunition, secure radios, medical equipment and spare parts. Other lethal equipment, including Javelin antitank missiles and other anti-armor artillery, as well as heavy machine guns, also were included. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said late Friday that a first shipment of nearly 200,000 pounds of lethal aid had recently arrived in Ukraine.
The Washington Post
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