Every indication we have now is they mean only to publicly offer to talk and make claims about deescalation while privately mobilizing for war, said a senior administration official.
The plan would see four battlegroups of 1,000 troops deploy along the alliance s eastern front. The move directly contravenes Russia s demand that the West reduces troop build-up.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO chief secretary, has dismissed videos of Russian tanks leaving the frontline with Ukraine as the regular movement of forces and says more troops are still arriving.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO s chief executive, said today that Russia always moves forces back and forth as videos emerged appearing to show tanks leaving the frontlines and that more troops are still arriving.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday the U.S. had not seen any pullback of Russia s forces on the Ukrainian border, despite Moscow s claim that it would move troops.