NATO members send military ship, more fighter jets to Eastern Europe amid Russia-Ukraine crisis

Denmark, France, Spain and the Netherlands sending fighter jets

Published: January 24, 2022 7:06am

Updated: January 24, 2022 8:04am

NATO said Monday that nation members are sending at least one military ship and additional fighter jets to Eastern Europe amid heightened concerns that a Russia invasion of Ukraine is imminent.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization said in a release that members are "putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to NATO deployments" in the region, as Russia President Vladimir Putin in recent days sends more troops to his country's border with Ukraine.

Putin also has begun sending members of its embassy in Kyiv back to Moscow, as the United States begins similar efforts with embassy families in the Ukraine capitol city.

The State Department this past weekend also issued a warning to Americans inside Ukraine stating the U.S. will not be able to protect them if Russia attacks.

Putin's show of force is in response to efforts by Ukraine – once part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or USSR – to join NATO.

France Spain and the Netherlands are sending aircraft to NATO allies in the region. Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is set to deploy four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania "in support of NATO’s long-standing air-policing mission in the region," also according to the NATO release.

The organization also said the United States has also "made clear that it is considering increasing its military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "I welcome Allies contributing additional forces to NATO. NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all Allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the Alliance. We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defense."

President Biden is considering sending several thousand U.S. troops, in addition to warships and aircraft, to Eastern European NATO allies, according to the New York Times.