"We do not try to make Russia an enemy, but it would be a big mistake to think that we will not defend our allies and that international order based on law." Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in Germany a few hours ago for the establishment of Curtis Scaparrotti, the new US military commander in Europe.
We do not seek confrontation - added Carter from Stuttgart, EUCOM headquarters - but Russia tries to erode that peaceful order in Europe and the rest of the West that was created after the end of the Cold War.
Carter, stating that the United States would defend the allies, again dwelt on the submarine patrols that the Russians are carrying out in the North Atlantic. "We have 60 thousand American soldiers in Europe, during the cold war we had 200 thousand, mostly in Germany. The Pentagon has quadrupled its spending to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and soon a new armored brigade will arrive in Europe (in reality it will not arrive before the end of next year, nda). We are considering sending an additional F-15 squadron, perhaps special and submarines to counteract Russian activity. The aggressive actions of Russia contribute only to their isolation and to strengthen our alliances. We will keep the door open for Russia, but it is up to the Kremlin to decide".
Last February, NATO approved the deployment of troops in Eastern Europe in principle. At that time, however, the details were not finalized. NATO's military arm, the supreme headquarters of the Allied powers in Europe, has sent the final directives to the headquarters of the Alliance in Brussels, where they are under revision. The intention would be to deploy four operational battalions (4000 soldiers) in Poland to protect the borders with Russia. Countries that cannot support the deployment of a battalion will have to play logistical roles to support the troops. The four battalions will always be in rotation and will act under NATO aegis. The command and control system of the troops will be held by the supreme headquarters of the allied powers in Europe. Those 4000 soldiers in rotation, according to the Western view, circumvents the NATO-Russia Founding Act, which prohibits a considerable number of combat troops deployed permanently close to the borders with Russia.
It should be pointed out that the 1997 document does not refer to a specific number of troops, but for the Alliance a force of four battalions in rotation is in line with these restrictions. Do not think so the Russians who have already announced "all necessary measures to compensate for an absolutely unjustified military presence".
In his speech, general Filippo Breedlove, outgoing commander of EUCOM, stated that his career ends where it started. "My career started here, during a cold war in an attempt to keep the peace. My career ends during a period of peace, in an attempt to ward off a new cold war".
(photo: US DoD)
