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NATO announced this week that it would reinforce forces in the Baltic Sea region, and the United States has ordered 8,500 troops on standby for possible deployment to Europe. As VOA’s Cindy Saine reports, diplomatic efforts continue as the United States and NATO step up their military preparations.
Russia’s military aggression along its border with Ukraine and Belarus is ongoing, President Joe Biden told reporters in Washington on Tuesday, adding that he is now ready to increase the US and NATO presence in Eastern Europe, but will not send American troops to Ukraine.
“I made it clear to President Putin that if he went to Ukraine, there would be serious consequences, including significant economic sanctions. “I feel obliged to strengthen our presence, the presence of NATO, on the eastern front, Poland, Romania, etc.,” said President Biden.
Asked if he would consider personal sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said YES, he would.
The United States, Britain, Australia and Germany have ordered the families of diplomats living in Kiev to leave Ukraine.
Some Ukrainian officials say this is in a hurry.
“We have to stay calm today. “In reality, we do not see the situation being inflated in the media now,” said Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine’s Defense and National Security Council.
Asked if the United States agrees with Ukraine’s assessment, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
“No one can enter the mind of President Putin or the Russian leadership. “We have seen a series of preparations, including 100,000 troops at the border, combat rhetoric and other actions as we have spoken here, attempts to spread misinformation throughout the region and even around the world, raising the presumption of an invasion.”
On Monday, President Biden said he had a very good meeting and that the United States is in full unity with its key European allies.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Berlin on Tuesday, and the two agreed that Russia would face severe sanctions if it invaded Ukraine. President Macron said he would speak with President Putin on Friday.
Diplomatic efforts come as Russia sends troops and military equipment to Belarus, disturbing observers.
“I think the troops in Belarus are worried. Of course, this puts Russia in a better position if it chooses to enter Ukraine. “It’s hard to say at this time whether President Putin is bluffing or trying to achieve what he wants without war,” said William Hartung of the Quincy Institute.
On Saturday, the Russian Ministry of Defense released a video of Russian fighter jets heading to Belarus to participate in joint exercises in February. Russia says it has no plans to invade Ukraine despite the accumulation of troops and equipment along the border and in Belarus, and is accusing the United States of “escalating the situation.”
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