US and allies discussing deploying more troops to Eastern Europe prior to any Russian invasion of Ukraine
CNN
The US and a handful of allies are in discussions to deploy thousands more troops to Eastern European NATO countries before any potential Russian invasion of Ukraine as a show of support in the face of Moscow's ongoing aggression, three US officials familiar with the discussions tell CNN.
The deployments -- numbering approximately 1,000 personnel from each -- would be similar to the forward battle groups currently stationed in the Baltic States and Poland, two defense officials said. Among the countries considering accepting the deployments are Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, all three officials said. No final decisions have been made.
The US and UK are among those considering the new, pre-invasion deployments, but not all 30 NATO members are willing, according to a European diplomat. Therefore, the US is in discussions to send the additional forces on a bilateral basis or, as one official described it, as a "coalition of the willing."