U.S. Defense Secretary Hagel: U.S. To Step Up Military Operations With NATO In Eastern Europe In Response To The Crisis In Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (R) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 5, 2014. VOA

Citing Ukraine, U.S. Increasing NATO Military Training, Air Patrols -- Wall Street Journal

U.S. to Beef Up Military Operations in Eastern Europe

WASHINGTON—Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday the U.S. is stepping up its military operations in Eastern Europe in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

Mr. Hagel said the U.S. military is boosting its joint training of North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces in Poland and adding to the alliance's air missions over the Baltic region.

"This is a time for wise, steady, and firm leadership," Mr. Hagel told the Senate Armed Services Committee in a hearing on the Defense Department budget. "It is a time for all of us to stand with the Ukrainian people in support of their territorial integrity and sovereignty."

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More News On U.S. And NATO Stepping Up Military Operations In Eastern Europe In Response To The Crisis In Ukraine

Pentagon boosts training, NATO air policing amid Ukraine crisis -- Reuters
US Taking Steps to Help NATO Allies in Europe -- AP
US steps up military training with NATO allies in Europe -- AP
US to bolster military support to Poland, Baltic -- AFP
U.S. aiding NATO allies' defenses over Ukraine crisis -- CBS
Hagel Announces Heightened Measures to Respond to Ukraine Crisis -- NBC
US to increase military support to Poland, Baltic -- Global Post/AFP
Hagel: US Pledges to Stand with Ukrainian People -- Voice of America

My Comment: Russia is not going to be "moved" by this increase in NATO training and flight .... what they are focused on is this .... OSCE military observer mission en route to Crimea (RT). Having U.S. and European soldiers (albeit as observers) in Kiev is something that will be difficult for the Russians to accept.