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- The Pentagon has repositioned its forces in Europe for weeks.
- The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) said that the movements of US forces are temporary and defensive.
- NATO has about 40,000 soldiers in its response force, which is not yet operational.
President Joe Biden has vowed that the US military will not engage Russian forces, opting instead for what the administration has called “quick and severe” economic sanctions in an effort to deter the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Pentagon has been repositioning personnel in allied countries in Eastern Europe for weeks, deploying US forces in Europe and moving those already on the continent to the former Soviet bloc countries.
The United States has about 90,000 troops in Europe. The largest gathering is in Germany.
Biden said Tuesday during an address to the nation that he has allowed US troops and equipment already stationed in Europe to move to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This was among the latest US military moves as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated.
more:Biden meets G7 leaders. NATO chief calls Russian attack a ‘brutal act of war’: Live updates
While those countries along Russia’s western borders are among the 30 NATO member states, Ukraine is not – a major point in the conflict. Moscow has sought to deter Ukraine from becoming a member of NATO in an effort to reduce Western influence in the region.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a televised declaration of war in Ukraine, claiming the invasion was necessary to protect civilians. Late Wednesday evening, Russian forces began a military operation in eastern Ukraine.
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Will US forces go to Ukraine?
Biden and Pentagon officials have said repeatedly that US troop movements in the region are temporary and defensive.
“These are entirely defensive moves on our part. We have no intention of fighting Russia,” Biden said in an address to the nation on Tuesday. “We want to send an unmistakable message, however, that the United States and its allies will defend every inch of NATO territory.”
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters Wednesday that the recent moves are “temporary, short-term and rotational redeployments,” and stressed that there were no immediate plans to deploy troops permanently to NATO’s eastern flank.
For now, we focus on reassuring allies. And we will be in constant contact with them and consulting with them about what this might look like and how to do it, in light of the current tensions on the continent. It’s too early to tell if any of this will lead to some other long-term change in the situation, we’re not at that point right now,” Kirby said.
more:Why does Russia invade Ukraine and how can it affect the world? Could it be the start of World War II?
Where are the US forces deployed?
More than a third of the 90,000 US troops in Europe are stationed in Germany. But the Pentagon has moved some of these personnel to support NATO’s eastern flank in anticipation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Air and ground crews already in Europe were ordered to move to the northeastern and southeastern wings of NATO on Tuesday. Which includes about 800 soldiers in an infantry battalion moving from Italy to the Baltic region, According to the Pentagon.
Eight F-35 fighter jets and 20 AH-64 helicopters in Germany, along with another 12 AH-64 helicopters in Greece, have been ordered to move to the Baltic region.
more:Why does Russia invade Ukraine and how can it affect the world? Could it be the start of World War II?
Those recent moves were in addition to about 1,000 US troops already stationed in Europe moving to Romania, including a battalion from Velsk, Germany, which brought in armored fighting vehicles. Groups of 125 US soldiers conducted training missions in Bulgaria and Hungary earlier this month as well.
About 5,000 troops stationed in the United States were also sent to Europe, including 4,700 soldiers sent to Germany and an infantry brigade combat team sent to Poland. The 160 members of the Florida National Guard who have been deployed to Ukraine since November have been reassigned to Europe.
more:Where is Ukraine Where are the members of NATO? A Guide to Post-Soviet Eastern Europe
Will NATO send troops?
NATO can reach about 40,000 soldiers in the NATO Response Force But so far that group has not been activated. About 5,000 of these soldiers have been put on high alert.
Some members of the organization supply Ukraine with weapons and equipment, but NATO does not take similar actions itself. Ukraine is not a member of NATO.
NATO has about 5,000 troops and equipment in northeastern Europe, where it has been beefed up since Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea in 2014.
more:What is NATO? Military alliance in spotlight as Russia tries to block Ukraine membership
Will there be US military recruitment?
The US Army – now a volunteer force of 1.4 million – has not used conscription to recruit new members since 1973, and there have been no indications that conscription will be used anytime soon.
Re-passing the draft would require action from Congress and the White House. Congress would need to amend the Selective Military Service Act, and the president would have to sign it.
The names of about 17 million men eligible for recruitment are on file US Selective Service System.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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