Civic Register
| 2.2.22

U.S. Deploying 3,000 Troops to NATO Countries in Eastern Europe Amid Russia’s Military Buildup

Do you support or oppose the deployment of 3,000 troops to NATO’s eastern flank?

What’s the story?

  • The Dept. of Defense (DOD) announced Wednesday that the U.S. will deploy an additional 3,000 troops to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries in Eastern Europe amid Russia’s ongoing military buildup on Ukraine’s borders. 
  • The deployment will involve troops currently in Europe and in the continental U.S. and is being done on a bilateral or trilateral basis at the invitation of the governments involved. It’s distinct from the 8,500 American troops who were placed on heightened readiness as part of the NATO Response Force.
  • An Army Stryker squadron with 1,000 troops who are currently in Germany will go to Romania in the next few days, where they’ll join 900 servicemembers already in the country. 
  • An additional 2,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps will deploy from Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the next few days. That movement includes an infantry brigade combat team from the 82nd who will go to Poland and a joint-task-force-capable headquarters unit element of the 18th who will be deployed to Germany. (Both the 82nd Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps also have other troops on heightened readiness as part of the NATO Response Force.)
  • The U.S. and NATO aren’t moving troops to Ukraine, which isn’t a member of the alliance, as efforts to help Ukraine’s military have been limited to training support and the provision of equipment like shoulder-fired anti-tank and anti-air missiles. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told the press that the deployments are to “reinforce the deterrent posture on NATO’s eastern flank” and “to ensure the robust defense of our NATO allies.”

The Latest on Russia’s Military Buildup

  • Over the last several months, Russia has undertaken a significant military buildup on Ukraine’s border with well over 100,000 troops in close proximity to the border and more personnel in staging areas where they could quickly be moved to the front. 
  • The buildup is larger than what occurred before Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine and launched an invasion of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine in 2014, where it still supports a separatist insurgency. The ongoing conflict has led to more than 14,000 deaths to date.
  • The Russian military presence has grown to more than 130,000 troops in areas near Ukraine’s border in recent days and is expected to grow larger as troops arrive in Belarus for what Russia says are planned exercises. 
  • Russia’s buildup also involves advanced equipment, including several short-range Iskander ballistic missile brigades and some of its S-400 surface-to-air missile system. It also has a significant naval presence in the Mediterranean Sea, where Russian warships from the Baltic Fleet and Pacific Fleet are linking up.
  • It’s still unclear whether Putin has decided to attack Ukraine, and he has said he has no plans to do so. Kirby said on Wednesday that U.S. officials still don’t know whether Putin has made up his mind whether to re-invade Ukraine. However, the multi-pronged buildup of military assets gives Putin the ability to threaten Ukraine by land from the south via Crimea, from the east via the Donbas, or the north from Belarus; and by sea through a potential amphibious landing from the Black Sea.
  • Russia is reportedly laying the groundwork for a “false flag” operation to use as justification for an attack on Ukraine. On January 27th, the U.S. announced sanctions against several Russian-backed officials who were being recruited to undermine Ukraine’s government and to prepare to take over the country’s government and control the country’s critical infrastructure during a Russian occupation. The British government said it also has gathered intelligence about an effort by Moscow to install a pro-Kremlin leader in Ukraine through a coup.


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— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William A. Tanner via Flickr / Creative Commons)

  • 21
    Eric
    02/23/2022

    I support the continued deployment of NATO troops to the Russia and Ukraine area. I believe this is the right move because it appears Russia wants to intimate Ukraine into putting a leader there who is more pro-Russia than the current one (Schwirtz, 2002). Currently the leader of Ukraine is leaning towards the West and that makes Putin very unsettled. Another reason that it seems important to have NATO troops there is to counter all the military deployment that Russia has already been doing around the world including navy warships across the region (Mahadzir, 2022). I think it’s important for the world to not stay by while Putin does what he wants with Ukraine today and has been since 2014.

  • 140
    Nathan
    02/11/2022

    Why not support the government with this? I MEAN THEY ONLY OWN A LEGAL MONOPOLY ON VIOLENCE.

  • 115
    Bob
    02/10/2022

    If you as our representatives are so lazy to have not traveled around Ukraine with an interpreter to know the truth and have only been interested in pushing Kiev to lie about there public policies then stay away. The US does not need to be fighting wars because US business and Intelligence Agency bad policies are causing a real result of civil war in Ukraine and that is the truth. Also start communications and stop the lying.

  • 115
    Bob
    02/10/2022

    If you as our representatives are to lazy to have traveled around Ukraine with an interpreter to know the truth and have only been interested in pushing Kiev to lie about there public policies then stay away. The US does not need to be fighting wars because US business and Intelligence Agency bad policies are causing a real result of civil war in Ukraine and that is the truth. Also start communications and stop the lying.

  • 377
    MWETulsa
    02/10/2022

    I hate it. But I support it. Thanked a couple soldiers outside Target yesterday. Told them I was praying for them. God help us and raise up some wise leaders in these challenging days.

  • 201
    Peggy
    02/10/2022

    Putin is a schoolyard bully, If NATO does not stand up to him who can? Certainly not Ukraine on its own. If the US does not support NATO what are we about? If we don't keep our treaty agreements what is our point? Is our word, our honor good for nothing. Who in the world will trust us. We are already on shaky ground thanks to 4 years of Trump's lack of leadership, and we must not forget how untrustworthy has become our reputation on the global stage as a result. We must not shrink from standing up to Russion agression.

  • 303
    Livia
    02/10/2022

    I have to oppose it. Because I am worried about our military. I do not want to see any more of our sons and daughters dying in a war, or coming home without arms and legs, or being burnt, Joe Biden put us in this position. With Russia, Joe Biden talks like big man, but he is a small fry with a big mouth. That says it really does nothing he’s not running this country. If he is running it he’s running it into the ground. He’s destroyed our economy. He’s worried about electric cars. Electric cars will not be available for another 30 years. Just think about it how long does it take to charge a car when it’s an electric. When I go to the gas station it takes me 10 minutes. And where do we go to plug your car is in. This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. We need oil for a lot more than gas for our vehicles. In the future they will find an energy that is instant to put in your cars. We’re nowhere near that today. The ignorance of our politicians and these companies that think that they were going to control everything. They’re blowing smoke up their own butt Take care of today and tomorrow. I won’t be alive 30 years from now and neither will they.

  • 87
    Lawrence
    02/09/2022

    If you are going to war. It has to be to win period. No more mickey mouse wars

  • 166
    Joseph
    02/08/2022

    As a retired military Officer, this is a very necessary action. Russia remains a major threat and only in conjunction with our allies can we combat that threat. Troop deployments have been deterrents for years. Unfortunately in here some folks are using this focused question to bash whatever administration is in power and to go off on unrelated tirades. This is exactly what Russia (and other untrustworthy nations) wants. More Intelligent dialogue and less ranting would serve us all better.

  • 310
    Brian
    02/09/2022

    We need to turn our efforts inward and take care if ourselves. Sending aid is good sending people is bad. If Biden wants to send people, he can send himself.

  • 117
    Janet
    02/09/2022

    Although I would not like to see another war, use do need to show force to discourage Putin's plans to in are Ukrainie.

  • 8,978
    Charles
    02/08/2022

    Germany and France must also get on board!!!!

  • 25.8k
    Frank_001
    02/08/2022

    “When it comes to Ukraine, what do Russian citizens actually want?” https://www.washingtonpost.com//world/2022/02/08/when-it-comes-ukraine-what-do-ordinary-russians-actually-want/? The article also address what the Ukrainians want. Either way Vlad doesn’t look too good. Reminds me of the anecdotal reports of Russian Bomber Pilots “missing” their targets. оппси! Oppsy!

  • 602
    Arnold
    02/08/2022

    Milley is keeping Russia and China informed of our every move. Joe is trying to distract from his failed presidency by stirring up trouble with a nuclear armed country. This can't end well.

  • 1,358
    Leslie
    02/08/2022

    It is refreshing to see an American president standing up to Putin. I’m old enough to remember when the Republican Party was against communism and fascism. Sadly that is no longer true.

  • 44
    Tori
    02/08/2022

    Why is everyone on here so war hungry. It’s honestly scary. Where are y’all getting ur sources.

  • 102
    Lee
    02/08/2022

    Putin is using an argument similar to the one used by Hitler immediately prior to WWII, the populations of the areas annexed were mostly Germanic and should be under German control. I also think Putin is trying to re-establish the old Soviet Union, using President Biden's obvious weakness and the threat of Chinese aggression over Taiwan to cow America and our allies into submission. In order to avoid war with Russia and/or China, we and our allies should effectively 'rattle our sabers' to insure freedom reigns and convince the communists that war would not be in their best interests.

  • 731
    Leslie
    02/08/2022

    It is imperative that The USA stands up for & with democracies if we want our STILL great democracy to survive & flourish! Please use your voice for me and all Americans to insure our commitments & support other striving democracies!

  • 3,697
    Kevin
    02/08/2022

    NATO was a promise, and the USA doesn't do very well when it comes to keeping promises or treaties. Time to stop that.

  • 138
    A David
    02/08/2022

    We should definitely be reinforcing our NATO Allies.