A number of NATO member states have announced readiness to send military personnel to its Eastern European members from Lithuania to Bulgaria over the concern that Russia could be planning to attack Ukraine, which Moscow denies, American news agency AP reports.
The NATO military alliance has not decided to activate its Response Force, which consists of about 40,000 troops from multiple nations. However, numerous member states, including the US, have recently signalled their readiness to contribute troops and equipment and engage in other NATO actions in the region near Ukraine.
On Monday, January 24, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby stated that about 8,500 US troops, who are currently in the US, are being put on alert for possible deployment to NATO territory in Eastern Europe.
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Denmark has announced sending a frigate and warplanes to Baltic state Lithuania, Spain would deploy four fighter jets to Bulgaria and three ships to the Black Sea to join NATO naval forces, whereas France has expressed readiness to send troops to Romania.
On Tuesday, January 25, Moscow pointed out that it expected a written response to its demands sent to the US over NATO enlargement and troop deployment, before explaining its stance for future actions. According to Russian state news agency TASS, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted: «I don’t want to formulate anything now, and there is no sense in it before we get the response. Let us first get the answer. It will be analyzed and then the position will be formulated based on the framework guidelines from the head of state».
NATO members ready to send troops and equipment to Eastern Europe over Russia tension
