Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby and Army Maj. Gen. William "Hank" Taylor, Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations, brief the press about Afghanistan, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Aug. 21, 2021. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando via Sipa USA) Please note: Fees charged by the agency are for the agency’s services only, and do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any ownership of Copyright or License in the material. The agency does not claim any ownership including but not limited to Copyright or License in the attached material. By publishing this material you expressly agree to indemnify and to hold the agency and its directors, shareholders and employees harmless from any loss, claims, damages, demands, expenses (including legal fees), or any causes of action or allegation against the agency arising out of or connected in any way with publication of the material.
DC: Pentagon Officials Brief Media on Afghanistan
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered about 8,500 U.S. troops on heightened alert, preparing for possible deployment to Europe, if needed, to reassure NATO allies in the face of Russian aggression on the border of Ukraine.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday no final decisions have been made on U.S. deployments, but the troops need to be ready. Actual deployment could depend upon NATO deciding to activate its rapid-response force.
In any event, the troops would not be sent to Ukraine itself, which is not a NATO member. Kirby said, “What this is about is reassurance to our NATO allies.”
Russian forces now surround Ukraine on three sides, and Western officials fear a military operation could start before the end of the month.
