The president is also considering deploying warships and aircraft to NATO allies, in what would be a major shift from its restrained stance on Ukraine.
Summary
- Thinning out staff at American embassies is a common precaution when conflicts or other crises arise that could put American diplomats in harm’s way.
- In his news conference last week, Mr. Biden said he had cautioned Mr. Putin that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would prompt Washington to send more troops to the region.
- “We’re going to actually increase troop presence in Poland, in Romania, et cetera, if in fact he moves,” Mr. Biden said.
- At the time of the phone call — Jan. 6 — the Biden administration was still trying to be more restrained in its stance on Ukraine.
- “There is no way that NATO could not reply to such a sudden military move in this political context.