NATO Countries Send More Weapons and Troops to Border with Russia

Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden said he would "soon" send a small number of troops to Eastern European countries and NATO allies. The U.S. Department of Defense had earlier placed 8,500 American troops on standby for deployment to Eastern Europe.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are sending anti-tank and surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine, while the Czech Republic will provide artillery shells. The three Baltic states, which were formerly under Soviet rule, announced in a statement that they would send American Javelin and Stinger missiles after receiving permission to do so from Washington. Estonia will supply Javelin anti-tank missiles, and Latvia and Lithuania will supply Stinger surface-to-air missiles.

The United Kingdom is preparing for a “major” military deployment in Europe. The country is considering offering a substantial number of troops, weapons, warships, and aircraft to NATO. Prime Minister Boris Johnson aims to send a “clear message” to the Kremlin.

This involves doubling the approximately 1,150 British troops already present in Eastern European countries, as well as sending “defensive weapons” to Estonia. The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is also on standby to be deployed “within hours” should tensions escalate further, according to the Prime Minister’s office.

The Czech Republic will provide artillery shells, Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said. The government must still approve the decision. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky accused Russia of using ‘blackmail tactics’ against Ukraine. They are preparing for the ‘worst-case scenario’ and are willing to support further sanctions against Moscow. Both leaders expressed hope for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.