[Summary] Rising Tensions in Ukraine... US Officially Deploys Troops to Eastern Europe the Day After Putin's Press Conference

3,000 Troops Deployed to Eastern Europe... Additional Deployment Suggested
Russia Strongly Condemns as "Destructive Measure"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The United States has officially announced the deployment of troops in preparation for the possibility of Russia invading Ukraine. Initially, 3,000 U.S. troops will be stationed in Eastern Europe, including Romania and Poland, with the possibility of additional deployments in the future. This move came immediately after Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly mentioned "war" in a public setting.

Even the Biden administration, which had been cautious about military intervention, has judged that the likelihood of a Russian invasion of Ukraine has increased significantly and has taken a strong tit-for-tat response. Russia strongly opposed the move, calling it a "destructive action that increases military tensions."

John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, officially announced at a briefing that U.S. troops would be additionally deployed to NATO member countries Romania and Poland in Eastern Europe. Accordingly, about 2,000 troops from Fort Bragg, an Army base in North Carolina, will move to Poland and Germany within a few days. Additionally, about 1,000 U.S. troops stationed at the Vilseck base in Germany will move to Romania.

This is the first time the U.S. has decided to directly deploy troops since the Ukraine crisis escalated in the second half of last year. These troops will be under U.S. command and will support NATO’s rapid response forces in case of emergency. The New York Times (NYT) reported that most of the troops heading to Poland are from the 82nd Airborne Division, the Army’s elite unit. The unit deployed to Romania is said to belong to the Stryker Brigade, known as the "Rapid Mobility Brigade." Kirby explained, "This deployment is temporary," but added, "It shows growing concern over Russia’s concentration of more than 100,000 troops around Ukraine." Currently, about 4,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Poland and 900 in Romania, respectively.

In particular, the U.S. decision drew more attention as it came immediately after President Putin stated at an official press conference that "the U.S. is trying to drag Russia into war." Since the Ukraine crisis escalated in November last year, this was the first time President Putin directly used the word "war" instead of indirect insinuations.

Until now, the Biden administration had taken a cautious approach to military intervention, including troop deployments, under a strategy of "not provoking Russia." However, it now appears that the possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine has increased enough to bring out the deployment card. President Biden told reporters at the White House, "(This decision) aligns with what I have told President Putin from the beginning," emphasizing, "As long as he acts aggressively, we will stand with our NATO allies and those there. NATO Article 5 is a sacred obligation." NATO Article 5 refers to the principle that if one member country is attacked, the entire NATO alliance considers itself attacked and responds with collective defense.

There is also a high possibility that the U.S. will deploy additional troops soon. The 3,000 troops announced today are separate from the 8,500 troops for which U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a European deployment standby order on the 24th of last month. Kirby also confirmed, "We are not ruling out the option of deploying additional troops." He explained that future moves depend on Russia’s diplomatic actions in negotiations with the U.S. and NATO.

Russia and NATO showed contrasting reactions. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the U.S. decision immediately after the announcement, stating in a press release, "We welcome the U.S. decision to strengthen NATO’s collective deterrence and defense." On the other hand, Russia harshly criticized it as an "act that escalates military tensions." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko said, "This destructive action, carried out without basis, only increases military tensions and narrows the room for political decisions." He warned that the U.S. troop deployment decision could negatively affect future diplomatic negotiations surrounding the Ukraine issue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.