Thousands of U.S. troops crept up on Russia's
doorstep Thursday, rolling into Poland amid a slew of unanswered
questions about their future in the region. RUSSIA STEPS UP MILITARY PRESENCE IN SYRIA, DESPITE PUTIN PROMISE
It marked the first deployment of armored brigade
combat teams and armor to Europe after a long drawdown from the
continent. For decades, Poland had asked for help in keeping Moscow at
bay, but at the same time, President-elect Donald Trump has signaled he
could try to pursue a friendly relationship with Russian President
Vladimir Putin.
Still, the president-elect said Wednesday nothing was
off the table. "I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir
Putin. I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't." TURKEY BOGGED DOWN IN SYRIA AS IT REALIGNS WITH RUSSIA
Russia clearly wasn't happy with the deployment. "We
perceive it as a threat," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry
Peskov said. "These actions threaten our interests, our security,
especially as it concerns a third party building up its military
presence near our borders."
Moscow also announced it deployed anti-aircraft
missile systems around the city. Russia had already been using the s-400
Triumph air defense system, capable of hitting moving targets including
missiles and planes, in Syria, The Sun reported.
Soldiers in camouflage with tanks and other vehicles
crossed into southwestern Poland on Thursday morning from Germany and
headed for Zagan, their planned base. Poland's prime minister and
defense minister said they would attend official ceremonies Saturday
celebrating the Americans' arrival.
The deployment "symbolizes a turn in our efforts on
this front, and is an important part of our continued effort to deter
Russian aggression and maintain a free Europe," U.S. European Command
spokeswoman Meghan Henderson responded.
U.S. and other Western nations have carried out
exercises on NATO's eastern flank, but this deployment -- which includes
around 3,500 U.S. troops -- marks the first-ever continuous deployment
to the region by a NATO ally. It represents a commitment by President
Barack Obama to protect a region that became deeply nervous when Russia
stormed Ukraine and took over Crimea in 2014, and then began backing
rebels in Ukraine's east.
The deployment was "separate yet complementary to NATO's deterrence and defense activities," Henderson added.
Many people in Poland said they still felt betrayed
by Obama's own "reset" with Russia early on in his administration, which
involved abandoning plans for a major U.S. missile defense system in
Poland and replacing it with plans for a less ambitious system.
Many U.S. soldiers said they were optimistic.
"Hopefully we can get right into training, get some range time in and
have some fun," Spc. Kyle Smith, an infantryman with the 1st Battalion,
8th Infantry Regiment, told Stars and Stripes. Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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