US Bulks Troop Presence in NATO Countries

A day after Russian troop movements, the US is moving more troops in NATO countries, Ukraine is calling for an emergency. A news roundup.

• After Russian President Vladimir Putin’s emotional speech recognizing two eastern regions of Ukraine as independent, troop movements have been observed around the Belarussian border.
• In addition to sanctions against Russia by the US, UK, EU and other countries, the US has also sent 800 infantry soldiers to the Baltic states and eight F-35 fighter jets along the eastern flank.
• In Russia, Putin has got the go-ahead from Russian legislators to use armed forces abroad. Russia is also evacuating its diplomatic personnel from Ukraine.
• In Ukraine, the security council has asked for a state of emergency to be declared for 30 days. The Ukraine government has also asked for its citizens residing in Russia to leave from there.
• As tensions rise around Ukraine and its border areas, the neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia are preparing to accept Ukrainian refugees.
• Some experts think that both Russia and Ukraine are observing a wait-and-watch approach, even as Russia flexes its muscles.