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| Anticipating Russian Threats, US Increases Its Military Strength Presence in Europe |
International Military - President Joe Biden said the United States is increasing its military presence in Europe for the long term to enhance regional security after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Meeting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Madrid at the opening of the security alliance's annual leaders' summit, Biden said NATO was strong and united and that steps to be taken during the meeting would further enhance the alliance's collective strength.
Biden opened up his participation in the NATO summit by announcing that the US is establishing a permanent base in Poland, sending two additional squadrons of F-35 fighter jets to the UK and will send more air defense and other capabilities to Germany and Italy.
Biden said the US would permanently place the US Army's V Corps front command in Poland, a move he said would strengthen US-NATO interoperability on the eastern flank of the alliance.
The move marks the first permanent base of US troops on NATO's eastern edge. Biden added that the US is also increasing the deployment of troops on a rotating basis to the Baltic region. Read also: Erdogan to Meet Biden on Sidelines of NATO summit The US currently has more than 100,000 troops deployed across Europe, up about 20,000 since before Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine began four months ago.
Biden predicted that this week's meeting would be a "historic summit" when leaders are set to agree on a new strategic framework, announce a series of steps to increase their defense spending and capabilities, and pave the way for historically neutral Finland and Sweden to join NATO. .
Biden said Putin thought NATO members would split after he invaded Ukraine, but received the opposite response. "Putin is seeking the Finnishization of Europe," Biden said. “You will get the NATO-ization of Europe. And that's what he really doesn't want, but what needs to be done to ensure security for Europe."
Stoltenberg, who has previously said the alliance faces its biggest challenge since World War II, welcomed Biden's announcement. "This truly demonstrates your leadership and decisive power in the trans-Atlantic bond," Stoltenberg said, thanking Biden for his unwavering support and from the United States to Ukraine.