Phil Stewart, Idrees A. Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters), – Tuesday’s clarification by the Pentagon stated that U.S. forces in Poland “liaising” to Ukrainian forces, as they handover weapons. However, the Pentagon said the U.S. troops were not being trained “in the classical sense” after President Joe Biden made remarks on the subject.

Biden revealed to reporters Monday that, while in Poland last Wednesday, he spoke with U.S. troops, who had helped “train” Ukrainian forces.

John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson (NYSE:), told reporters that U.S. forces in Poland “liaising with” Ukrainian forces as weapons are transferred to forces fighting back against Russia’s invasion.

This is not training as many people understand it. Kirby simply said, “I would say that it’s liaising.”

However, he did not give details about the nature of these interactions or how often they lasted. Because the United States wants to reduce any direct military involvement, it wasn’t immediately obvious if the distinction between training and liaison was more important.

United States, and European nations have mostly limited their military support in intelligence sharing and heavy weaponry supplies to Ukrainian forces. This includes anti-aircraft weapons and anti tank systems.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March, the United States decided to withdraw its military trainers for Ukrainian forces from the west. Later this month, Russian cruise missiles were launched at the site of their training.

Kirby also added 10 F-18 fighter jets and 200 staff to the list. They would travel to Eastern Europe including Lithuania.

This is the most recent tranche of U.S. troops to be deployed in the area after Russia invaded Ukraine over a month ago.

More than 100,000 U.S. soldiers are now stationed in Europe. This is a significant increase from around 80,000 troops before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Moscow pledged Tuesday that it would reduce its military activities near Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Ukraine offered a neutral status with international security guarantee while maintaining its territories.

Widespread skeptical in the West was aware of Russia’s pledge.

“Has Russia moved some units from Kyiv during the last 24 hours? It is our opinion. Kirby explained that the numbers were small.

However, he said it didn’t mean the threat to Kyiv was ended and that the troops leaving Kyiv will likely be deployed in other parts.

Russia failed its goal of seizing Kyiv. He added that Russia has failed to subjugate Ukraine.