Washington. January 24. INTERFAX - The US Department of Defense has put 8.5 thousand military personnel on high alert in case they need to be transferred to Europe, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.
"The head of the Pentagon, Austin, decided to put units in the United States on high alert in case they need to be sent (to Europe - IF)," he said at a briefing.
Kirby explained that in total, we are talking "about about 8.5 thousand military."
The Pentagon spokesman stressed that no decision had been made to transfer these forces to Europe. The military command only decided to increase their readiness so that the military could, if necessary, quickly head to Europe. Kirby explained that sending forces to Europe will be possible at the request of NATO, "or in other situations."
A Pentagon spokesman explained that we are talking about both combat units and military medics, units responsible for transport.
According to him, such a decision was made in conditions when Washington sees no signs of de-escalation by the Russian Federation in the area of Ukraine.
Kirby noted that the decision to put on high alert is not limited in time, since it is unclear exactly when it may be necessary to transfer the military to Europe.
At the same time, according to him, such measures do not mean that the United States puts an end to diplomacy with the Russian Federation.
