Russia-Ukraine war: Pentagon considering sending US Special Forces to Kyiv embassy

Pentagon is weighing an option of deploying US military’s Special Forces to Kyiv to guard newly reopened embassy and American diplomats. US President Joe Biden will be presented with a proposal in weeks ahe, though document hasn’t been dispatched to Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, or Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Mark Milley or US president Joe Biden. 

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby in a statement said that US State Department has been in contact with Ukrainian officials about potential security requirements w that America resumed operations at embassy in Kyiv. “But decisions have been me,” Kirby reiterated. At this time, specific proposals have been debated at senior levels of department about return of US military members to Ukraine “for that or any or purpose,” Pentagon press secretary emphasised, while plans have reportedly been underway.  implementation of security aspect depends on how conflict in Ukraine’s east unfolds.

A US Navy SEAL special forces operator, front, and colleagues during a joint U.S.-Cyprus military drill at Limassol port. Credit: AP

State Department officials are also considering restoring a Marine security guard detachment in Kyiv, stating that provision is similar to security at American embassies, worldwide. 

Washington’s military posture in Ukraine could prove 'escalatory' for Putin 

Some US military officials have proposed a return of US Special Forces elite commandoes as well as or troops who were conducting train-and-vise operations for Ukraine’s armed forces to fight inving Russian soldiers, sources familiar with development at Pentagon have reportedly said.

Biden ministration, although, has been considering several aspects for Special Forces deployment as Washington’s military posture in Ukraine could prove to be an escalatory move for Russia, and it may provoke Russian President Vlimir Putin. re’s also increasing fears of a potential attack on American personnel by Russian military forces if y resume hostilities in capital Kyiv. 

US Navy SEAL special forces operator, second left, and colleagues during a joint military drill at Limassol port. Credit: AP

Pentagon h earlier expressed concerns about risk of a direct confrontation breaking out between US and Russia, as it rejected Warsaw’s proposal of transferring all of its MiG-29 fighter jets to a US airbase in Germany, and supplying m to Ukraine.

" prospect of fighter jets 'at disposal of Government of United States of America' departing from a U.S./NATO base in Germany to fly into air that is contested with Russia over Ukraine raises serious concerns for entire NATO alliance," spokesman John Kirby h said in a statement. "It is simply t clear to us that re is a substantive rationale for it,” he h continued, ting that such a move could trigger World War III. 

Moscow has also sent a formal diplomatic te to Biden ministration warning US against supplying weaponry to Ukraine. Russia’s Duma argued that weaponry provided to Ukraine’s military by West is used to kill Russian military commanders as conflict shifted to eastern Ukraine. Kremlin underscored that Russia’s President Vlimir Putin has warned weapons shipments by US could bring "unpredictable consequences” in course of war. 

strong objection by Russians came at time Biden ministration approved  $800 million worth of military pack to Ukraine that included artillery such as medium-range howitzers. While US officials state that US Special Forces deployment would only be for purpose of defense and security of American embassy, act would be in breach to Biden’s initial pledge that US troops will set foot on Ukrainian soil.

US embassy in Kyiv was shut after Russia inved Ukraine on February 24, and American diplomatic staff was relocated 340 miles west to Poland. As operations of embassies worldwide resume in Kyiv, and US mulls deployment of its military for protection of diplomatic staff, it wouldn’t be first kwn instance of Washington relying on US military for security.

On May 8, senior diplomat in US mission to Ukraine, Kristina Kvien and US diplomats temporarily based in Poland returned to US Embassy complex in Kyiv to commemorate Victory in Europe Day. y were reportedly escorted by US Special Forces assigned from Joint Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, rth Carolina.

Im: AP