{O/C} Over to Washington, where U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered some 3,000 U.S. troops to Europe to not only defend its allies, but deter Russia from an invasion as well.
This, as the standoff on the Ukrainian border sets the tone for an impending catastrophe.
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Russia's promise that it is not planning to invade Ukraine rings hollow.
That stands to reason why U.S. President Joe Biden has just ordered 3,000 U.S.-based troops altogether to Europe, 2,000 of whom to Poland and Germany and shifting 1,000 more from Germany to Romania, in a massive and apparent show of force.
The 1,000 troops headed to Romania are members of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment based in Germany. They are slated to augment the some 900 troops already in Romania.
This, as the Pentagon said the forces will be deployed on short notice, and that the moves are not permanent, they are simply aimed at amping up America's allies' defence.
{Soundbite} JOHN KIRBY, Pentagon Press Secretary: These are not permanent moves. They are moves designed to respond to the current security environment. Moreover, these forces are not going to fight in Ukraine. They are going to ensure the robust defence of our NATO allies. This force is designed to deter aggression and enhance our defensive capabilities and frontline allied states and we expect them, as I said, to move in coming days.
This, as the United States appears to be fighting fire with fire, also sending troops to countries near Ukraine, resembling Russia's military buildup near the Ukrainian border.
Amid the phoney war in that region, Russia hit back, saying the moves are swingeing, and portraying the deployments as unhelpful and unfounded.
Meantime, Russian President Vladimir Putin also had a new telephone exchange with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. While Putin is adamant Moscow is willing to hold negotiations with neighbouring countries to defuse tensions, he also made it crystal clear Russia's demands all fell on stony ground. The demands include Ukraine be banned from becoming a part of NATO.
Today's move came as U.S. President Joe Biden's administration strives to demonstrate U.S. resolve without undermining efforts in the quest for a diplomatic solution to the current crisis.
What's more noteworthy and conspicuous, Biden didn't send any more troops to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, former states of the Soviet Union, to assist in preparing for an impending war.
American officials have refrained from calling a Russian incursion "imminent" to avoid being outfoxed.
But what truly makes for one torrid time and more disconcerting days in the offing is increasing U.S. troop levels in Eastern Europe with a vengeance, which is Putin's pet peeve.
At the same time, France has also opted to send troop reinforcements to Romania under NATO command, and in actuality a number of NATO countries across Europe are also considering adding forces.
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