US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Friday, February 18, refused to talk about the possibility of deploying additional American forces in Europe. He noted that Washington will do what is necessary to protect NATO partners.
“Today, I have nothing to announce about this (about the deployment of new forces to support US allies in Europe – Ed.), But I will also say that in everything we do, we will consult with our allies and partners to make sure that we hold the same views on the deployment of any force,” Austin said during a press conference in Warsaw.
The United States is “committed” to Article 5 of the Collective Security Treaty, he said. Austin assured that the American side will do what is necessary to protect US partners and allies.
Austin also said that the US authorities responded positively to Poland’s request for 250 Abrams tanks. He added that the timing of their delivery is currently being discussed.
“In response to a formal request from Poland made in July 2021, Secretary of State [США] Anthony Blinken and I have conveyed to Congress our intention to enable Poland to acquire 250 M1A2 Abrams tanks. The timing of the delivery of these main battle tanks is currently being discussed, ”the head of the Pentagon emphasized.
At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that the United States, as in previous days, does not see signs of the withdrawal of Russian troops from the border with Ukraine. Austin added that the American side continues to see signs that Russia allegedly “continues to amass forces in the area.”
“Everything indicates that they will retain the ability to launch an attack at almost any time,” the head of the Pentagon concluded.
Earlier in the day, the Latvian Ministry of Defense announced that the international military exercises Saber Strike 22 (“Saber Strike – 22”) under the leadership of the command of the US armed forces in Europe begin in the Baltic country. Before that, on February 2, it became known about the forthcoming transfer of additional US forces to Romania, Poland and Germany. It was clarified that it was planned to send about 2,000 troops to Poland and several thousand more in the direction of NATO’s southeastern flank.
Whereas on February 17, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Vershinin called the fact that Western countries continue to tell Russia about scenarios for its “attack” on Ukraine, a way to “wind up” negotiations on Russia’s security guarantees. The diplomat pointed out that information aggression and statements about the Russian military threat are needed for “cover”.
At the same time, the return to the places of permanent deployment after the exercises of the units of the Southern and Western military districts became known on February 15. The joint Russian-Belarusian exercise “Allied Resolve – 2022” started on February 10. They are aimed at testing the response forces of the Union State. The authorities have repeatedly stressed that the maneuvers are purely defensive in nature and do not threaten anyone.
In recent months, the US and NATO have accused Russia of plotting an attack on Ukraine and have stepped up their presence in Eastern Europe. Moscow rejects all claims, emphasizing that they are moving troops within their territories, and also reminding them that they are not participating in the intra-Ukrainian conflict. In particular, on February 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview with Blinken, said that the propaganda campaign launched by the United States and its allies about “Russian aggression” against Ukraine pursues provocative goals, thereby encouraging the authorities in Kiev to sabotage the Minsk agreements.
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