General Mark Millie, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the base could be funded by other countries such as Poland and the Baltic, which want more US troops. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said any attempt to expand security in Eastern Europe was an “ongoing project” likely to be discussed at a NATO summit in June. Milley and Austin testified before the House Armed Services Committee on the 2023 budget proposal, but much of the hearing was on Russia’s war on Ukraine and what the United States can do to better help and strengthen Ukraine. security across Europe. Milley was asked about the need to redeploy forces to the east of Europe, where NATO allies worry it could be Russia’s next target. “My advice would be to create permanent bases, but not to park permanently (forces), so that you have the effect of permanence from rotating forces circulating through permanent bases,” he said. “I believe that many of our European allies, especially those like the Baltic or Poland and Romania, and elsewhere – are very, very willing to set up permanent bases. They will build them, they will pay for them “. Austin added that he had recently visited and spoken with leaders in the Baltic, noting that they had made it clear that they valued US troops there. “We will continue to work with NATO to assess what the requirements will be,” Austin said. “We will be part of this solution.” The Pentagon continues to review the number of troops across Europe and whether to add more or move some of those already there to other locations. Milley said Tuesday that while there are no decisions yet, there is a possibility, if not a chance, of an increase in US troops in Europe, and that need could be met by rotational forces. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced last month that NATO is setting up four new battle groups, typically between 1,000 and 1,500 troops, for missions to Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. NATO allies will discuss additional security measures at the upcoming summit. Milley has advocated the use of rotational forces around the world to cover the cost of permanently deploying troops and their families to war-torn allied countries, such as South Korea and the Persian Gulf. He said using it would eliminate some of the costs associated with schools, housing and other such services. The forces of rotation develop for shorter periods of time. Permanent forces often develop for two to three years. Milley also agreed that Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine and its continuing demands that the US and NATO reduce troop numbers and weapons in European countries along Russia’s border signaled a long-running conflict in the region that extends beyond Ukraine. “I think this is a very protracted conflict and I think it is at least measured in years. “I do not know for decades, but at least years for sure,” said Milley. “I think that NATO, the United States, Ukraine and all the allies and partners that support Ukraine will be involved in this for a long time.” Austin added that the broad Russian demands were not accepted by NATO and that the US was looking for ways to provide additional assistance and training to countries, including non-NATO allies such as Georgia and Finland. Members of Congress pressured Austin and Milli about what could prevent Russia from invading Ukraine and that sanctions did not act as a deterrent. Both said the only possible way to deter Russia was to put US troops on the ground inside Ukraine, but that option was rejected because it risked a wider US war with Russia. Milley said he was not sure Russian President Vladimir Putin was a deterrent since the invasion of Ukraine was a long-term goal for Moscow. Milley and Austin also told the commission that the United States had learned a great deal as it watched Russia fight an unexpectedly tough Ukrainian defense last month. They said Russia had significant military capabilities, but could not use them effectively. Austin said Russian forces lacked training among their non-commissioned officers and that the Kremlin was unable to procure the supplies and logistics needed to disembark the troops. Austin said Ukraine had used the Stinger and Javelin missiles effectively against Russian troops and weapons. Milley said Ukraine’s junior officers, many US-trained, have shown initiative and good command and control skills.
