U.S. Troops Remain On Standby Over Growing Tensions Between Russia And Ukraine

ARLINGTON, Va. — Over 8,000 U.S. troops remain on standby amid growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said current options don’t include American “boots on the ground” in Ukraine.

“We’re going through the rigorous work of providing options for the commander in chief should he decide to do that, where and when he decides to do that,” Kirby said. “But the president has been very clear that we are not going to see American troops in combat with the Russians in Ukraine.”

The plan is to deploy the 8,500 troops to Eastern Europe and the Baltic region, joining forces from other NATO allies. Kirby said that if Russia invades it will not be tolerated.

“We want to make sure that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) understands, unequivocally, that that’s not going to be acceptable and the United State will fight to defend our NATO allies and our commitments to our allies,” Kirby added.

During earlier remarks at the UN, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the massing of Russian troops on the Ukraine border threatens European security.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to speak on the phone with his Russian counterpart today about tensions over Ukraine.  Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will discuss the troop buildup and concerns over an invasion.

Both sides are pointing fingers at the other, with Russia accusing the West of whipping up tensions while the U.S. and NATO allies say Russia is trying to fabricate a reason for an attack.

Russia wants a promise to keep Ukraine out of NATO forever.