By David Morgan

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he was seeing encouraging signs from President Joe Biden about the administration’s approach towards deterring Russian aggression toward Ukraine.

McConnell stated that Biden appears now to be taking the right approach towards Ukraine after a meeting at Camp David with his security staff. McConnell said last week that Biden “telegraphed weakness and passivity” regarding the matter.

McConnell stated, “The things I have heard since then are encouraging that they’re willing to take steps prior an incursion and not after,” at a Kentucky news conference.

He added, “It appears that administration is moving towards the right direction.”

Russia’s estimated 100,000 soldiers have been assembled near Ukraine’s borders. This alarms the West, who fear that Moscow will launch a fresh military offensive after it invaded Crimea in 2014.

NATO Monday announced that its troops were on standby, and it is strengthening eastern Europe with fighter jets and more ships. According to USA, approximately 8,500 troops are on alert and may be deployed in the area.

McConnell called for the deployment of NATO troops in Poland, Romania, and the Baltic States immediately, and also the shipping of anti-tank weapons and anti-aircraft arms to Ukraine.

Kentucky Republican members support a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin. This comes at a moment when many conservative commentators, like Tucker Carlson of Fox News, are questioning the necessity for the United States taking sides.

“My office has been receiving calls from individuals who watch Tucker Carlson, are concerned that Russia isn’t siding with them in their threats to invade Ukraine,” Democratic U.S. Representative Tom Malinowski said on Monday.