U.S. military convoy arrives in Poland, drawing local cheers, Russia's ire
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 January 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. military convoy arrives in Poland, drawing local cheers, Russia's ire, 12 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a433a.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 12, 2017
U.S. soldiers arrive in the Polish town of Zagan as part of the NATO deployment on January 12.
U.S. soldiers and equipment arrived in Poland on January 12, greeted by many in Eastern Europe as a boost to security but viewed by Moscow as a "threat" on its doorstep.
Some residents waved American flags and cheered as the first of about 3,500 U.S. troops crossed the border from Germany, headed toward Zagan, where they will be based before fanning out across seven countries in the region.
"This is the fulfilment of a dream," said Michal Baranowski, director of the German Marshall Fund think tank in Warsaw. "And this is not just a symbolic presence but one with a real capability."
The Obama administration ordered the deployment in 2014 to reassure regional allies after Russia's moves against Ukraine.
Russia has been highly critical of the deployment.
"These actions threaten our interests, our security," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said on January 12. "Especially as it concerns a third party building up its military presence near our borders."
Based on reporting by AP, dpa, AFP, and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
