Pentagon sends another 7,000 US troops to Europe

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon on Thursday said it would send 7,000 more troops to Europe, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine launched the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two.

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered the deployment of an armored brigade combat team to Germany to reassure NATO allies, the Pentagon said in a statement. In particular, US military officials want to send a different message: while the US stands outside Ukraine, they will not hesitate to act if Russian President Putin turns his eyes on a member of the Atlantic alliance.

The deployment would bring the 14,000 US troops that President Biden has deployed to Europe since the Ukraine crisis began. Their arrival would entail nearly 100,000 American troops in Europe.

The move comes as Biden warned on Thursday that the United States would “get involved” if Putin made any moves with the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The Pentagon this week sent six F-35 fighter jets and a host of other warplanes to Eastern Europe in support of NATO allies. Mr. Austin also sent a task force of infantry battalion – about 800 troops – to the Baltics. Soldiers and fighters were in the European theater, the official said.