US: 8,500 soldiers ready for deployment in Europe

But a decision on the deployment has not yet been made, a Pentagon spokesman said. The higher state of readiness means that the troops are ready for departure after just five days instead of ten days.

NATO announced earlier Monday that it would send reinforcements to Eastern European member states and prepare troops. The extra warplanes and warships should deter Russia, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said.

US President Joe Biden discussed the situation around Ukraine from the White House on Monday in a video link with Stoltenberg and European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen. According to an EU source, the topics discussed included economic support to Ukraine and the importance of dialogue with Russia.

‘Total unanimity’

Biden said afterwards that it was a “very, very, very good consultation” and that there is “total unity” between the US and its European allies. “We agree that any further aggression by Russia against Ukraine will have serious consequences,” Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter afterwards.

Russia has gathered many soldiers along the Ukrainian border and is preparing for an attack, according to the United States. Ukraine is not a NATO member, but the military alliance says it will not accept an attack on the country. In that case, western countries will declare heavy sanctions against Russia. Neighboring NATO countries such as Poland and the Baltic countries also feel threatened by Russia.