On Feb. 2, the United States decided to send troops to Eastern Europe in the wake of rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. 

President Joe Biden approved the deployment of 3,000 U.S soldiers to NATO allies in order to ensure they are protected.

Though the U.S is not sending troops directly to Ukraine, Pentagon Spokesman John F. Kirby said this action is to make Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, aware of NATO and its importance.

“It’s important that we send a strong signal to Mr. Putin and the world that NATO matters,” Kirby said. “We are making it clear that we are going to be prepared to defend out NATO allies if it comes to that” (New York Times).

Previously, President Biden had put 8,500 troops on high alert in the event of Ukraine being invaded. Putin denies that an invasion was ever being planned.

Also on Feb. 2, Putin addressed the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Although Putin did not give a definite answer, Putin believes that the U.S is trying to pull Russia and Ukraine into war by using the country for NATO operations.

“Their main task is to contain the development of Russia,” Putin said. “In this sense, Ukraine itself is simply a tool to achieve this goal. This can be done in different ways. Draw us into some kind of armed conflict and force — among other things — their allies in Europe to impose the very tough sanctions against us that are being talked about in the United States today” (CNN).

President Biden said that this decision has been discussed with Putin, and that it is exactly what he had told Putin from the start of the conflict.

“It’s totally consistent with what I told Putin in the beginning,” Biden said. “As long as he’s acting aggressively, we’re going to make sure we reassure our NATO allies and Eastern Europe we’re there and Article V is a sacred obligation” (CNN).

On Feb. 7, President Biden threatened that Nord Stream 2, an undersea gas pipeline which would be used to transfer gas from Russia to Germany, would be cut off if Russia invaded Ukraine.

“The notion that Nord Stream 2 would go forward with an invasion by the Russians is just not going to happen,” Biden said (CNN).