WASHINGTON (Financial Times) -- The U.S. has placed about 8,500 troops on standby for possible deployment to central and astern Europe to help shore up NATO's defenses as Western leaders gathered to cement a unified response to the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"Even as we continue to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue, we must also increase readiness in support of its obligations to the security and defense of NATO and the security of its citizens abroad," John Kirby, Pentagon spokesperson, said during a briefing on Monday.
