In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Biden granted authorization on Thursday for US military leaders to deploy up to 3,000 reservists to Europe. This decision aims to supplement the existing US troops stationed overseas as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The president, aged 80, made this announcement in a statement released by the White House after his five-day trip to Europe, during which he participated in a two-day NATO summit in Lithuania.
He stated “By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby determine that it is necessary to augment the active Armed Forces of the United States for the effective conduct of Operation Atlantic Resolve in and around the United States European Command’s area of responsibility.”
Biden’s directive specifies that a maximum of 3,000 individuals can be activated simultaneously, with no more than 450 of them being members of the Individual Ready Reserve. This reserve comprises trained soldiers who have previously served in the Active Army or Selected Reserve.
Operation Atlantic Resolve was launched in response to Russia’s 2014 invasion of the Crimean Peninsula. Its purpose is to strengthen the deterrence capabilities along the eastern flank of NATO allies of the United States.
During his European trip, President Biden reiterated the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine. The country, which was once part of the Soviet Union, has been engaged in a gradual counteroffensive to reclaim areas in southern and eastern Ukraine that are currently under Russian control.
