By Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is heading to Brussels for talks with NATO allies, and to visit U.S. forces in Poland. Washington continues to be focused on the threat of a Russian invasion.

Austin left as Russia announced that some units of their military were returning home from exercises in Ukraine. Uncertain how many units would be withdrawn and at what distance.

The statements were not discussed by U.S. officials who spoke under anonymity. They had earlier expressed concern over Moscow’s estimated 130,000-strong military presence in the Ukraine.

“We have always presented a path to diplomacy, and we have repeatedly been disappointed in Russia’s desire to engage substantively. According to a U.S. defence official, “I won’t say that I am optimistic at the moment.”

Moscow denied plans to invade Ukraine but said it might take “military technical” actions if it doesn’t meet a set of requirements, which include NATO promises not to admit Ukraine and withdrawing its troops from Eastern Europe.

NATO MEETING

NATO’s defence ministers are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, and Thursday. They will likely to initiate a plan for four multi-national battlegroups to be established in southeastern Europe to counter Russia’s militarization in Ukraine. Three diplomats spoke to Reuters.

This would mark NATO’s largest shift in force position since the establishment of its “Enhanced Forward Presence” battlegroups in Estonia and Latvia. They were backed up by tanks, air defenses, intelligence and surveillance units.

Ukraine is not part of NATO and is not under any treaty obligation to protect it. American troops won’t fight nuke-armed Russia. President Joe Biden also stated that the administration would not allow U.S. soldiers to train in Ukraine.

Biden has sent additional U.S. forces to Europe. These include to Poland. Austin is also scheduled to visit Polish leaders. Later in the week, he’ll also be meeting with Polish and U.S. troops at Powidz Air Base.

Austin will travel to Lithuania as well, where it has provided ammunition and anti-aircraft missile systems Stinger for Ukraine.

Although Ukraine has strengthened its armed forces using weapons from allies (including the U.S. and British Anti-Tank Systems and Turkish Drones), U.S. officials claim that Russia retains “overwhelming military supremacy.”

The senior U.S. official stated that the Ukrainians have “absolutely the will to fight.” But at the same, it is very overwhelming what Russia could offer to help.