NATO announced on Monday that it was reinforcing Eastern Europe with additional ships and fighters.
The move is the latest gesture in preparation for Russia’s anticipated aggressive move against Ukraine. Russia has led many to expect an invasion after moving more than 100,000 troops to Ukraine’s borders in recent months.
“NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the alliance,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement.
US SENDING WEAPONS TO UKRAINE AND PULLING AMERICANS OUT
The Kremlin has responded to the military motions by accusing the West of “hysteria.”
Several members of NATO have already taken action to move citizens out of Ukraine. “As President Biden has said, military action by Russia could come at any time,” a senior State Department official told reporters Sunday evening after moving additional forces into the region. “The United States government will not be in a position to evacuate U.S. citizens in such a contingency.”
U.S. diplomats have also been moved out of the country voluntarily.
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Russia has denied intending to invade Ukraine or planning to replace Ukraine’s leader. However, Russian leaders have attempted to use the presence of 100,000 Russian soldiers on Ukraine’s border to encourage NATO to abandon its eastern European members. NATO leadership quickly shot the request down.
