Former Pentagon Chief Wants US To Deploy Troops Around Black Sea

By Donald Standeford, Correspondent
Published: 2021-04-14 12:30AM PST
Last Modified: 2021-05-03 11:22PM PST

Black Sea - Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says that the United States should deploy more troops around the Black Sea to deter the current buildup of Russian tanks, artillery and soldiers as Russia amasses 80,000 troops along the Ukraine border and sends its navy to the Black Sea within striking distance of Ukraine.

Esper stated "I think we need to continue to stand up to Russia and trying to deter their bad behavior." and said that we need to give our European allies assurance by putting more forces in Poland and "into the Baltics, if it makes sense, and places like Romania and Bulgaria, if not on a permanent – on a rotational basis."

On Tuesday, The US announced that it will be increasing its forces in Germany, despite Trump's plan to cut the troops in Germany from 36,000 to 12,000. Instead of decreasing the troops, Biden wants to increase the troops stationed in Germany by 500.

US Secretary Of Defense Lloyd Austin stated "I briefed the minister on our intention to permanently stage an approximately 500 additional U.S. personnel in the Wiesbaden area as early as this fall. These forces will strengthen deterrence and defense, and they will augment our existing abilities to prevent conflict and if necessary to fight and win. It will greatly improve our ability to surge forces at a moment’s notice to defend our allies."