Pentagon to Russia: Back away from our allies

10 years ago | Posted in: Latest Politics News | 732 Views

WASHINGTON — The 600 paratroopers the Pentagon is dispatching to Poland and three Baltic nations to conduct live-fire training will also serve as a trip wire to Russian aggression in the region, according to military officials and analysts.

The Pentagon considers the deployment, though small, a serious marker and called on Russia to back away from Ukraine.

“Make no mistake: The Russians are the provocateurs here,” said Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman. “Destabilizing eastern Ukraine is a highly provocative action. Sending thousands of troops into Crimea is highly provocative. American actions are intended to reassure our allies that we are there for them.”

The first 150 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade landed Wednesday in Poland. Similar units from the brigade will deploy in C-130 and C-17 cargo planes to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The teams consist of riflemen, snipers and mortar men who fire 60mm shells, Warren said. All of them are expected to be in place by Monday.

“We are telling our allies that we are committed to their defense,” Warren said. “And we are letting the Russians know that we’re committed to the defense of our allies. That’s a message that we want them to hear loud and clear.”… see more

 

source: usatoday

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