About 8,500 US troops were put on alert to be deployed to Eastern European countries. The leaders of the USA, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Poland and the European Union (EU) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
Making a statement after the meeting, which was held via videoconference and lasted for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, US President Joe Biden said that there is complete unity among Western countries in preventing Russia from attacking Ukraine. Speaking to the press at the White House, Biden said, “I had a very, very good meeting, there is complete consensus with all European leaders.”
“The leaders agreed on the importance of international unity in the face of increasing Russian hostility,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office regarding the meeting.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also said that if Russia attacks Ukraine, it will have “serious consequences” and said, “It is up to Russia to implement the initiatives for a visible calm.” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also said that Moscow’s further increase in aggression against Ukraine will have “heavy costs”. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission, and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, also attended the meeting.
Russia, on the other hand, denies that it is preparing to attack Ukraine. However, the number of Russian troops deployed to Ukraine’s borders exceeds 100 thousand.
USA: 8,500 soldiers on alert
On the other hand, US Department of Defense Spokesperson John Kirby said that 8,500 US troops were put on “high alert” to be deployed in NATO member Eastern European countries as part of the NATO Response Force. “This is a very clear signal to Mr. Putin that we take our responsibilities at NATO seriously,” Kirby said. NATO also announced that fighter jets and ships were sent to the region to strengthen the eastern flank of the alliance.
The French government announced that Russian and Ukrainian officials, along with German and French representatives, will meet in Paris on Wednesday. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to meet with Putin in the coming days.
AFP, AP/EC, SSB
© Deutsche Welle English