Pentagon Press Secretary John F Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon. Credit: Lisa Ferdinando, DoD.

Understand the impact of the Ukraine conflict from a cross-sector perspective with the Global Data Executive Briefing: Ukraine Conflict

The US is set to send 500 additional personnel to Europe to further strengthen its presence in the region, amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Pentagon spokesman John F Kirby said that the additional troops will join existing deployments in Europe to strengthen Nato defences on the eastern flank, as well as deter Russia from expanding the conflict.

He further added that the troop movement is a temporary measure.

Kirby was quoted as saying: “[We’re] going to adjust our posture continuously as the conditions require. And as [President Joe Biden] has noted before, we are not, and will not, send forces into Ukraine.”

The US started moving more troops to Europe after Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine.

The latest deployment will include KC-135 refuelling aircraft out of the Fairfield Air Force Base, in Spokane, Washington, to Souda Bay in Greece, with nearly 150 personnel to provide refuelling support.

The deployment will also include a 40-person air and support operations centre, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Approximately 300 additional personnel will move to Germany to offer additional logistic support to the first Armored Brigade Combat Team 3rd Infantry Division already stationed there.

Nato-member and Baltic state Latvia has sought a permanent presence of US troops in the country amid rising security concerns, reported Reuters.

In a joint news conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said that the country ‘would be very happy’ to host US personnel permanently.

Another Baltic state and Latvian neighbour, Lithuania, is planning to increase defence expenditure this year to more than 2.5% of GDP.

It originally planned to spend $1.31bn, or 2.05% of GDP, in 2022.