American soldiers arrive in Poland, and Russia classifies the action as a threat.
After military exercises conducted east of NATO allies, vehicles and soldiers from the United States army began arriving today in the Polish city of Zagan, where they will be based. This move fulfills a long-standing Polish desire, as since the fall of communism in 1989, Poland has sought to attract American troops to its territory in order to protect itself from Russian military power. However, the arrival was not well received in Moscow; Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the military movement was understood by the country as a threat.
Following military exercises conducted east of NATO allies, vehicles and soldiers from the United States Army began arriving today in the city of Zagan, Poland, where they will be based.
The entry of American troops into Polish territory was the first deployment in the region by a NATO ally. The move fulfills a long-standing Polish desire, which since the fall of communism in 1989 has sought to attract American troops to its territory in order to protect itself from Russian military power. The arrival of the troops was a promise made by US President Barack Obama since the Russian annexation of Crimea.
"This is the realization of a dream. And this is not a symbolic presence, it has real capacity," said Michal Baranowski, director of the German Marshall Fund research institute in Warsaw.
Russia
However, the arrival was not well received in Moscow. Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the military movement was perceived by the country as a threat.
"Especially since this is a third party reinforcing its military presence near our borders. It's not even a European state," Peskov said in a telephone press conference.
The presence of troops, however, could change drastically starting on January 20th. This is because, in addition to being close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the US president-elect, Donald Trump, has a position contrary to NATO.