Biden authorizes another 3,000 reserve troops to be sent to Europe after returning home from trip where he said Putin had already lost war in Ukraine and pledged to defend ‘every inch’ of NATO territory
President Joe Biden authorized the Pentagon to send an additional 3,000 reserve troops to bolster European security after returning from a trip to NATO’s eastern flank where he vowed to protect “every inch” of NATO territory.
The White House released the order early Friday, hours after Biden landed after meeting with Nordic allies in Helsinki, including Finland, the newest member of the 31-nation alliance as Russia’s war against Ukraine rages.
“I hereby determine that it is necessary to strengthen the active forces of the United States for the effective conduct of Operation Atlantic Resolve in and around the area of responsibility of the United States European Command,” Biden said in a statement from the White House. House.
The number of units deployed cannot exceed 3,000, and no more than 450 can be members of the Individual Ready Reserve, according to order.
President Joe Biden ordered the Pentagon to send another 3,000 reserves to Europe
The move comes after alliance leaders took new steps to bolster Ukraine’s arsenal. The first cluster munitions approved by the Pentagon have already arrived in Ukraine. France is now supplying long-range missiles, and Biden indicated he may be open to the US supplying some as well.
The US has already taken steps to bolster its armed forces in case the war in Russia expands, sending about 1,000 troops to Lithuania, where Biden also visited this week.
Hours earlier, Biden stood side by side with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto voicing the US and NATO commitment to mutual defense.
“I say as sure as anything can be said about US foreign policy, we will stay connected to NATO, connected to NATO, mid to end. We are a transatlantic partnership,” he said at a news conference.
Biden vowed to protect “every inch of NATO territory, and of course that includes Finland,” he said. After negotiations with Turkey, the group is also on track to admit Sweden.