U.S. to Station Heavy Weaponry in Eastern Europe

The United States is planning to station heavy weapons and up to 5,000 troops in central and Eastern Europe, the New York Times reported Saturday. This would be the first time the U.S. has stationed heavy equipment in nato’s newer states that used to be part of or controlled by the Soviet Union.

Poland’s Defense Ministry confirmed Sunday that his nation was engaged in talks with the U.S. to station military equipment on Polish soil. America would store enough tanks, military vehicles, and other hardware to equip 150 soldiers in each of the Baltic states. Enough equipment for up to 750 soldiers would be stored in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and possibly Hungary.

Russia claims that America promised not to station troops in these countries in 1997. America, however, denies this. So far, the U.S. hasn’t placed any troops there to avoid angering Russia.

The U.S. has not yet made a final decision on whether to follow through with these plans.