The United States is intensifying military planning and training in Europe for a potential conflict with Russia on NATO’s eastern flank, according to reports.
The US Army hosted a security conference at its headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, last week, which was attended by Army generals from 38 European countries. Deterring Russian President Vladimir Putin was a central theme of the conference.
“In order to deter an adversary, he has got to realize your capabilities. He’s got to be able to see it and smell it – from the news, from the exercises, from things like this conference,” the US Army’s chief of staff, Gen. Mark Milley, said.
Officials described measures to boost the NATO alliance, including through massive training exercises to project and maintain readiness.
Since Russia’s involvement in the Ukrainian conflict last year, the US military has worked to transform its force structure in Europe, moving more ships, aircraft and troops into the region.
Milley said recommendations about the force-structure review will be presented to the Pentagon. “We’ll look at that and try and figure out the right balance,” he said.