Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin says the US will do its due diligence to guard American troops ought to Russia once more invade Ukraine.
“I feel our troops will probably be superb,” Austin instructed ABC News in an interview on “This Week” that aired Sunday morning. “We will probably be very diligent when it comes to pondering via the vary of prospects and placing the suitable issues in place to make sure that we’ve executed every little thing we are able to to guard our troops.”
Austin sat down with “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz whereas he was visiting American and Polish troops in Poland, the place 4,700 U.S. paratroopers had been deployed to assist NATO allies in jap Europe as Russia continues to amass its forces close to the Ukraine border. Austin doubled down on President Joe Biden’s promise that U.S. troops won’t enter Ukraine if Russia once more invades.
“President Biden has been very clear about the truth that we aren’t going to make use of forces in Ukraine,” stated Austin. “We are going to ensure we do every little thing doable to guard our troops and Polish companions so there isn’t a spillover throughout boundaries.”
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There are additionally about 20 Navy vessels deployed to the theater, and quite a few Air Pressure property presently flying over and round Ukraine.
Greater than 150,000 Russian troops, together with plane, Iskander ballistic missile programs, hospital models and different gear arrayed round Ukraine’s border.
The U.S. paratroopers dispatched to Poland amid the ongoing Russian risk to Ukraine are constructing encampments and anticipated to coach with Polish allies, whereas a small headquarters factor has arrived in Germany and one other 1,000 Stryker troopers are establishing in Romania. Whereas navy officers have stated these are non permanent deployments, it stays unclear how lengthy troops will keep within the area.
1000’s extra troopers are on heightened alert to deploy and would be part of the 40,000-troop worldwide NATO Response Pressure, ought to it’s activated.
Austin instructed Raddatz that Russia’s navy buildup round Ukraine is indicative that an assault may come at any second and doesn’t fall in keeping with Russia’s claims that its forces are leaving the border.
“In the event that they had been redeploying to garrison, we wouldn’t see the sorts of issues when it comes to, not solely fight energy, but in addition logistical assist, medical assist, fight aviation that we’ve seen within the area,” Austin stated.
Biden stated Friday that he’s satisfied Russian President Vladimir Putin has determined to additional invade Ukraine.
Russia has denied plans to invade Ukraine, however continued navy workouts close to the border Sunday. Moscow has stationed an estimated 150,000 troops alongside three sides of Ukraine’s border with models in Belarus to the north, the border with Russia on the east, and alongside the Crimean Peninsula to the south.
Vice President Kamala Harris stated diplomatic conversations have all been about deterring Russia from invading a sovereign nation, however instructed reporters as she was leaving the Munich Safety Convention that there’s a “actual chance of struggle in Europe.”
“All of us perceive, together with each nation in Europe, what struggle in Europe appears to be like like and what it may well imply for the residents of every of these nations,” Harris stated.
Some American troops may assist American evacuees within the occasion Russia does invade Ukraine, in keeping with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.
