NATO sending ships, jets to eastern Europe amid Russia’s military build-up around Ukraine

Brussels [Belgium], January 24 (ANI): North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies are putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to NATO deployments in eastern Europe, reinforcing Allied deterrence and defence as Russia continues its military build-up in and around Ukraine. In the past days, a number of NATO allies have made announcements regarding current or upcoming deployments. Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is set to deploy four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania in support of NATO‘s long-standing air-policing mission in the region. Spain is sending ships to join NATO naval forces and is considering sending fighter jets to Bulgaria, NATO said in a statement on Monday.

France has expressed its readiness to send troops to Romania under NATO command. The Netherlands is sending two F-35 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria from April to support NATO‘s air-policing activities in the region and is putting ship and land-based units on standby for NATO‘s Response Force. The US has also made clear that it is considering increasing its military presence in the eastern part of the alliance, the statement added.

“I welcome Allies contributing additional forces to NATO. NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all Allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the Alliance. We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defence,” said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

NATO said that in response to Russia‘s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO increased its presence in the eastern part of the alliance, including with four multinational battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. These units, led by the UK, Canada, Germany and the US respectively, are multinational, and combat-ready. Their presence makes clear that an attack on one Ally will be considered an attack on the whole Alliance. There were no NATO forces in the eastern part of the Alliance before 2014. (ANI)

Kiev got USD 200mn in security aid from US this weekend, more to come: State Department

Washington [US], January 24 (ANI/Sputnik): The United States continues to provide Kiev with security assistance and Ukraine received $200 million on Saturday, a senior US State Department official said.

“We are assisting Ukraine with new lethal defensive security assistance, including ammunition for the front line defenders of Ukraine. The first of several shipments for Ukrainian armed forces totalling $200 million arrived in Kyiv January 22, yesterday, and more will arrive in the weeks to come,” the official said at a Sunday briefing.

This past Tuesday, a senior US State Department official said that the United States would provide Ukraine with additional defensive aid on top of what is already in the process of being sent should tensions with Russia escalate. (ANI/Sputnik)

Majority of 8,500 US troops on high alert over Ukraine crisis: Pentagon

Washington [US], January 25 (ANI): A majority of the 8,500 US troops placed on high alert over the Ukraine crisis, Pentagon said on Monday amid the growing military build-up at the Russia-Ukraine border area. Speaking at a press briefing, the US Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby said these 8,500 troops on high alert are from brigade combat teams, medical personnel, aviation support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. “No deployment orders have been sent and no missions have been assigned,” Kirby added.

The United States is not ruling out the option to move US troops in the European theatre in order to bolster NATO’s eastern flank amid the Ukraine crisis, the spokesperson said. “I’m absolutely not ruling out the possibility that there will intra-theatre moves as well inside Europe to bolster NATO allies on the Eastern flank,” he said during a press briefing.

Kirby further said a potential deployment of additional US forces to Europe over Ukraine tensions will depend on a decision by NATO. Ukraine crisis has taken shape over the past several months after the US and its allies accused Russia of a troop build-up near the shared border and is preparing for invasion.

Meanwhile, Moscow has denied these accusations, pointing to NATO’s military activity near Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Amid the rising tensions at the Ukraine border, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an increase in diplomatic efforts and more dialogue.

“What the secretary-general would like to see is a diplomatic buildup, increasing number of dialogue and the reaffirmation by all [those] involved that there can only be a diplomatic solution,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a press briefing. He added that Guterres continues to be concerned about current tensions and appeals to all parties involved to take immediate steps to de-escalate and remain focused on the diplomatic process. (ANI)

Ukraine crisis: Achieved total unity, says Biden after meeting with European leaders

Washington [US], January 25 (ANI): US President Joe Biden said his virtual meeting with European leaders on the situation between Russia and Ukraine went very well and achieved a “total unity” among them. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine amid a buildup of forces near their border has led to a tense situation. Discussions are underway for US involvement in the European security situation, including by supplying more military aid to Ukraine.

Russia has denied accusations that it intends to invade attack any country and has warned NATO that its activities near Russia‘s borders are a national security threat while Moscow reserves the right to move forces on its territory.
Biden’s call with the European leaders lasted one hour and 20 minutes, during which time the parties consulted and coordinated on issues related to the ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine. “I had a very, very, very good meeting, total unity with all the European leaders. We’ll talk about it later,” Biden said during a White House event on Monday.

In a video call between Biden and European leaders, the leaders reiterated their continued concern about the Russian military build-up on Ukraine‘s borders and expressed their support for Ukraine‘s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “The leaders underscored their shared desire for a diplomatic resolution to the current tensions and reviewed recent engagements with Russia in multiple formats,” the White House said in a statement.

The leaders also discussed their joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, including preparations to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia for such actions as well as to reinforce security on NATO’s eastern flank.

They committed to continued close consultation with transatlantic Allies and partners, including working with and through the EU, NATO, and the OSCE. Participants in the call included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, President Andrzej Duda of Poland, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom. (ANI)

Blinken vows to EU counterparts continued close coordination against Russia: State Dept

Washington [US], January 25 (ANI/Sputnik): US Secretary of Sate Antony Blinken during a virtual meeting with the EU Foreign Affairs Council vowed the United States will continue to coordinate with EU partners against Russia on the Ukraine crisis, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken participated virtually in today’s EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) at the invitation of EU High Representative Josep Borrell… He emphasized the United States will continue to coordinate closely on next steps to deter Russian aggression with the EU and member states, in addition to NATO, the OSCE, and Allies and partners more broadly,” Price said on Monday.

Blinken also briefed European EU counterparts on his meetings with government officials from Ukraine, Germany and Russia last week, Price said. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine amid a buildup of forces near the border have sparked discussions of further US involvement in the European security situation, including by supplying great military aid to Ukraine as deterrence to a potential invasion.

Russia has resolutely denied that it intends to attack any country and has warned NATO that its activities near Russia’s borders are a national security threat while Moscow reserves the right to move forces on its territory. (ANI/Sputnik)