President Joe Biden is sending troops to Poland, Germany and Romania in response to rising Ukraine tensions, CNN reported.
The deployments are a show of support to NATO allies feeling threatened by Russia’s military moves near Ukraine, officials said.
The Pentagon is expected to announce that thousands of additional US troops will deploy to forward locations in Europe.The deployments will include roughly 2,000 US troops to Poland.
Part of an infantry Stryker squadron of roughly 1,000 troops based in Germany will be sent to Romania, according to a senior administration official.
The military moves come as talks stalled with Russia over its military buildup at Ukraine’s borders.
There are mounting fears across Europe that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be ready to invade Ukraine.
The U.S. president has said he will not put American troops in Ukraine to fight any Russian incursion. However, Washington is supplying Ukraine with weapons to defend itself.
Biden had said recently that he intended to send additional U.S. forces to NATO allies in Eastern Europe to reassure them of America’s commitment.
The Pentagon also has put about 8,500 U.S.-based troops on higher alert for possible deployment to Europe as additional reassurance to allies. Officials have indicated the possibility that additional units could be placed on higher alert soon.
The U.S. already has between 75,000 and 80,000 troops in Europe as permanently stationed forces and as part of regular rotations in place such as Poland.
