Following Russia's buildup of troops near its border with the the Ukraine, the U.S. is considering deploying Army forces to Poland. According to The Associated Press, a Western official said the U.S. could send approximately 150 servicemembers for military exercises to take place in Poland and Estonia over the next few weeks. Poland and the U.S. are expected to announce the deployment of an American Army company next week.
U.S. intends to increase presence in Europe
The official – who requested anonymity – estimated that the ground exercises in Poland and Estonia will last about two weeks. He also suggested that these activities will occur on a rotating basis and that the U.S. will consider deploying troops to other regions of Eastern Europe.
Additionally, John Kirby, the Pentagon's press secretary, stated Friday that the U.S. is planning initiatives for improving air, ground and maritime readiness in Europe.
"Some of those activities will be pursued bilaterally with individual NATO nations. Some will be pursued through the alliance itself," Kirby said, as quoted by the AP.
Defense leaders meet to discuss military cooperation
Poland's defense minister, Tamasz Siemoniak, stated that military planners are currently working out the details of a deployment strategy, The Washington Post reported. He met with U.S. defense secretary Chuck Hagel Thursday to discuss methods of bolstering military-to-military collaboration, which would include increased cooperation in special forces, air defense and cyberdefense. Siemoniak noted that the ultimate goal is to enable a long-term improvement in the defense postures of Europe and the U.S.
"The idea until recently was that there were no more threats in Europe and no need for a U.S. presence in Europe any more," Siemoniak told The Washington Post. "Events show that what is needed is a re-pivot, and that Europe was safe and secure because America was in Europe."
While some European countries have previously cut back on defense spending, Siemoniak insisted that defense ministers from these nations expressed support for reversing this trend during a recent meeting. However, the decision to increase defense spending is contingent upon the agreement of their national leaders.
Siemoniak expects that the strongest incentives for European nations to boost their defense budgets will be Russian President Vladimir Putin's dishonesty regarding Russian actions in Crimea and his explanation of a new doctrine that would allow his nation to intervene in any country home to Russian-speaking populations.