Reducing the number of US bases in the EU will not affect the program " strengthening safeguards allies " (European Reassurance Initiative), which is positioned as a response to Russia's position on Ukraine, told reporters on Thursday, assistant Secretary of defense Derek Sj?lie (Derek Chollet).
" It's completely different processes, " said Sj?lie. According to him, closing bases were prepared for two years, and the " warranty allies " leader Barack Obama has requested additional funds from Congress last summer.
" supposedly $ 1 billion, which we took from Congress at the end of last year ("warranty allies " ), will allow us to make infrastructure improvements on the objects that we use for placing troops on rotation, in particular in Central and Eastern Europe. It will also help us to Fund a full schedule of exercise, " said the representative of the Pentagon.
The US, EU and several other countries did not recognize the annexation of Crimea to Russia in March 2014 and imposed punishment, to which Russia responded own countermeasures. In response to the alleged interference of the capital of Russia in the internal Affairs of Ukraine, which Russia denies in principle, USA organized a programme on " strengthening the guarantees to allies within NATO.
on Thursday, the U.S. Department of defense announced the change in the structure of their forces in the European Union. For example, it is planned to close about a dozen military bases. However, at the same time on military bases is expected to reduce costs five hundred million dollars a year, " warranty allies " administration received twice - $ 1 billion.
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