The US Department of Defense has already placed 8,500 US military personnel on readiness for deployment to Eastern Europe. The troops could spring into action at short notice if NATO is to respond quickly to a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
NATO announced on Monday that it would send reinforcements to Eastern European member states and prepare troops. The extra warplanes and warships should deter Russia, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said.
Russia has gathered many soldiers along the Ukrainian border and is preparing for an attack, according to the United States. Ukraine is not a NATO member, but the military alliance says it will not accept an attack on the country. In that case, western countries will declare heavy sanctions against Russia. Neighboring NATO countries such as Poland and the Baltic countries also feel threatened by Russia.