Russia has condemned a decision made on Feb. 2 by the US to send extra troops to support its allies in Europe amid continuing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.  Moscow called it a “destructive” step which heightened tension and reduced the scope for a political solution.

The Pentagon said 2,000 US troops would be sent to Poland and Germany, and a further 1,000 already in Germany would go to Romania.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko called it a “destructive” and “unjustified” move. But the Pentagon said the additional troops being deployed would not fight in Ukraine, but rather ensure the defense of Washington’s allies.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said “We still don’t believe he’s made a decision to further invade Ukraine,” when asked about Vladimir Putin’s alleged invasion plans.

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Russia has at least 120,000 troops and military equipment amassed near Ukraine’s borders. The tensions come eight years after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and supported a bloody rebellion in the industrial Donbas region, mainly through proxies.

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