On Thursday, President Biden authorized the Pentagon to mobilize up to 3,000 U.S. reserve troops for deployment in Ukraine to enhance U.S. forces participating in Operation Atlantic Resolve. The order allows the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to deploy active duty units and individual members from the Selected Reserve or the Individual Ready Reserve, with the stipulation that no more than 450 members come from the latter group.
Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, the director of operations for the Joint Staff, told reporters:
“This reaffirms the unwavering support and commitment to the defense of NATO’s eastern flank in the wake of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine,”
This decision comes after President Biden’s five-day visit to Europe, including the U.K., Lithuania, and Finland, during which he aimed to reinforce international unity against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Despite Ukraine’s disappointment at not being provided a clear path to NATO membership, Biden assured that NATO agreements would ensure Kyiv’s long-term security even without official membership. He maintained that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was content with this situation, even amidst voiced frustrations over the ambiguity surrounding Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.
