Biden sends troops to Baltics: US official
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The US is sending 800 infantry soldiers to the Baltic region and up to eight F-35 fighter jets to numerous operating locations along NATO's eastern border.
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A US Air Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter from the 58th Fighter Squadron (US Air Force)
A US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity, that President Joe Biden's Tuesday announcement of redistribution of troops in Europe includes sending 800 infantry soldiers to the Baltic region and up to eight F-35 fighter jets to numerous operating locations along NATO's eastern border.
The same official added that the United States will dispatch 32 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from Europe to the Baltic region and Poland.
"These additional personnel are being repositioned to reassure our NATO allies, deter any potential aggression against NATO member states, and train with host-nation forces," the senior US defense official stressed.
He went on to say that none of the new forces were coming from the United States.
On his account, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that “every indication is that Russia is continuing to plan for a full-scale attack of Ukraine,” adding that “we continue to call on Russia to step back … it’s never too late not to attack."
During a meeting with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Lloyd Austin claimed that a "full-blown" war may still be avoided.
Kuleba arrived in Washington Tuesday to discuss new developments involving Ukraine.
Austin pledged that “we will continue to work closely with you and remain in lockstep with our allies and partners in trying to find a way to avoid further conflict. Mr. Putin can still avoid a full-blown, tragic war of choice."
The Secretary of Defense's declaration came following Russia's recognition of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) and the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
A strategic threat for Russia
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed, on Tuesday, that Ukraine getting tactical nuclear weapons is a strategic threat for Russia.
On the use of the military in Donbass, he commented by saying, "We will fulfill our obligations, if necessary," stressing that he does not mean that Russian troops will enter Donbass right away.
Putin went on to say that the best solution would be Kiev refusing to join NATO and adhering to neutrality, stressing that “Ukraine getting tactical nuclear weapons is a strategic threat for Russia.”
Here’s what you need to know
Tensions are soaring between Russia and Ukraine over the Donbass region and Moscow's latest statements recognizing the two Republics.
The Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) accused Kiev of repeatedly shelling the Donbass region with weapons banned by the Minsk agreements.
The DPR Ministry of Emergency Situations said Saturday Donetsk had already evacuated 6,600 people, including nearly 2,500 children, over a dramatic escalation of tensions with Ukraine.
