US readies troops to help NATO amid Russia tension

At President Joe Biden's direction, the Pentagon is putting about 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for potential deployment to Europe to reassure allies amid rising fears of a possible Russian military move on Ukraine.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday no final decisions had been made on deployments, which he said would happen only if the NATO alliance decides to activate a rapid-response force "or if other situations develop" in connection with tensions over Russia's military buildup along Ukraine's borders.

Kirby said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recommended to Biden that about 8,500 troops be ordered to prepare for potential deployment to Europe in light of signs that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not de-escalating his military pressure on Ukraine. Kirby said he was not prepared to identify the U.S.-based units because they were still being notified.

Lolita Baldor, a National Security Reporter for The Associated Press, said the forces are not going to deploy directly to Ukraine, but instead to "NATO allies that are in the region surrounding Ukraine."

Russia has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border, demanding that NATO promise it will never allow Ukraine to join and that other actions, such as stationing alliance troops in former Soviet bloc countries, be curtailed. Some of these, like any pledge to permanently bar Ukraine, are nonstarters for NATO — creating a deadlock that many fear can only end in war.

"Russia is also conducting military drills and has troops in Belarus, which borders several NATO allies," Baldor said. "Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, a lot of those NATO's allies are very concerned and worried about a potential Russian incursion into their territory."

Kirby said Austin was anticipating the potential for NATO to activate what it calls the NATO Response Force, a multinational force totaling about 40,000 troops. Most of the 8,500 U.S. troops being put on higher alert would be sent as part of that response force, if it's activated, Kirby said. He added that he could not rule out that U.S. troops already based in Europe could be shifted east as further reinforcements.

As an example of the effect of Austin's order to make U.S.-based units more prepared for deployment, Kirby said that those currently required to be ready to move on 10-days notice will be required to be ready on 5-days notice.

"Obviously, the Pentagon made it clear again today that this doesn't rule out diplomatic options, but it is an indication that if anything does happen, that the U.S. will respond militarily," Baldor said.

Later Monday, Biden held a video call with several European leaders on the Russian military buildup and potential responses to an invasion, the White House said.

IMAGE: AP