U.S. To Beef Up Forces In Europe, As Biden Declares Putin 'Already Lost'

Washington D.C./14.07.23/Turan:   U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday issued an executive order authorizing the Pentagon to send up to 3,000 reserve forces to Eastern Europe as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports from the White House.

Under the new authorization, which gives reservists the same benefits as active-duty service members, the reservists would be part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the ongoing rotational deployments that bolster NATO and its eastern flank.

Since the Russian invasion began last February, the U.S. has increased the number of its troops in Europe to more than 100,000 service members, up from 80,000. However, no American troops are directly involved in the war, as Ukraine is not currently a member of the NATO alliance.

According to Pentagon officials, Biden's latest decision will not change current force-posture levels in Europe. U.S. European Command is preparing to use this new authority in continuation of U.S. commitment to NATO's collective security, spokesman Navy Capt. Bill Speaks told reporters.

When asked about a current assessment of the fighting in Ukraine, Sims said that Ukrainian forces, despite being shot at and bombed, are "doing a remarkable job with their new equipment and techniques"

Biden also echoed the same sentiment in his final public appearance before returning home from Europe yesterday, saying that he hopes Ukraine makes progress in its current counteroffensive to spur a negotiated settlement.

The U.S. president also said he doesn't think the war will drag on for years to come, declaring that Vladimir Putin has "already lost."

"There is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine. He has already lost that war," Biden told reporters.

Alex Raufoglu