A Russian invasion of Ukraine is not inevitable, but the United States wants to strengthen the defensive capabilities of NATO's eastern flank, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said at a briefing Wednesday. He also spoke about plans to send US troops to NATO countries and Ukraine.

For evacuation

“Additional US forces in Europe may be sent to Ukraine to facilitate the evacuation (of American citizens – ). We do not exclude this ... The current situation requires that we strengthen the deterrent and defensive capabilities of the Eastern flank of NATO, ”Kirby said at a briefing broadcast on the Pentagon website.

According to him, the United States military "is capable of performing various missions, and they will be ready for a number of different circumstances." He also stressed that the US military will not participate in military operations in Ukraine, this is only a "reaction to the current situation."

In addition, Kirby said that the Pentagon will send an additional two thousand soldiers to Romania, Poland and Germany in the coming days. He clarified that the military personnel will be sent to the region "not forever." This measure is designed to support American allies in the region.

“President Biden has made it clear that the US will respond to a growing threat to the security and stability of Europe. Our commitment to Article 5 (of the North Atlantic Treaty - ) to NATO and collective security remains unwavering. As part of these commitments and in order to prepare for a number of unexpected situations, the United States will soon deploy additional forces to Romania, Poland and Germany, ”Kirby said. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty provides for a collective response in the event of an "armed attack on one or more" NATO member countries.

The representative of the Pentagon explained that we are talking about sending units of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps. At the same time, they will be under the command of the United States, and not NATO.

In addition, the United States will send another thousand soldiers from Germany to Romania. Kirby added that, if necessary, the US will deploy its troops within Europe. He also said that American military instructors will continue to work with the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, "there were no changes in their status."

“We do not know if Russia has made a final decision about further invasion of Ukraine, however, obviously, it has such an opportunity. We will continue to support the diplomatic efforts being made by the White House and the US State Department to reach a settlement. We continue to believe that conflict is not inevitable,” Kirby said.

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Rumors in the media

The American media reported that the Pentagon ordered several thousand more soldiers to be put on high alert in case of a possible dispatch to Europe. Thus, the Wall Street Journal, citing American officials, said that the United States intends to "make other transfers of forces within Europe", using an additional number of soldiers, in addition to the 8.5 thousand military, who already received similar orders last week.

According to CNN, US President Joe Biden has officially approved the deployment of additional US military forces in Eastern Europe. According to the channel's sources, this deployment is "a show of support for NATO allies who feel threatened by Russia's military actions near Ukraine."

Biden also said last Friday that he would move forces "soon" as Russia continues to build up its military presence near Ukraine, raising fears of an invasion.

Russian authorities have repeatedly denied allegations of an allegedly planned invasion of Ukraine. Moscow emphasizes that any movement of troops across the country's territory is a sovereign matter. NATO and the allies of the alliance think otherwise and are preparing retaliatory measures. The Kremlin, in turn, regards NATO support for Ukraine as a threat on its western flank.

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