No need for additional troops in Sweden and Finland - U.S. general

No need for additional troops in Sweden and Finland - U.S. general

Sweden's and Finland's aspirations to join NATO will not require the deployment of additional U.S. ground troops in either country.

 

A U.S. general appointed to the post of European commander told senators this, the AP news agency reported.

 

At the same time, Army General Christopher Cavoli noted that the number of military exercises and periodic rotation of U.S. troops is likely to increase.

 

Kavoli, now commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa, said increased military attention is likely to be focused on Eastern Europe, where countries are more concerned about potential Russian aggression and the spread of war with Ukraine.

 

"The center of gravity of NATO forces has shifted to the east," Kavoli told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his nomination hearing.

 

"Depending on the outcome of the conflict, we may have to continue that for some time," he added.

 

Kavoli was asked about the U.S. troop presence in Europe, which has grown from less than 80,000 to 102,000 since the buildup before the Russian invasion. He said the increase was unrelated to Finland and Sweden's recent move toward NATO membership.





Sweden's and Finland's aspirations to join NATO will not require the deployment of additional U.S. ground troops in either country.

 

A U.S. general appointed to the post of European commander told senators this, the AP news agency reported.

 

At the same time, Army General Christopher Cavoli noted that the number of military exercises and periodic rotation of U.S. troops is likely to increase.

 

Kavoli, now commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa, said increased military attention is likely to be focused on Eastern Europe, where countries are more concerned about potential Russian aggression and the spread of war with Ukraine.

 

"The center of gravity of NATO forces has shifted to the east," Kavoli told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his nomination hearing.

 

"Depending on the outcome of the conflict, we may have to continue that for some time," he added.

 

Kavoli was asked about the U.S. troop presence in Europe, which has grown from less than 80,000 to 102,000 since the buildup before the Russian invasion. He said the increase was unrelated to Finland and Sweden's recent move toward NATO membership.