America has despatched a couple of dozen elite troops to the Polish-Ukrainian border, together with the final soldier to depart Afghanistan in 2021.

Main Basic Christopher Donahue, the troops' commander, left the Asian nation on August 30, shortly after the Taliban gained management of the capital of Kabul. Six months later, he's making ready for a possible invasion of one other nation.

Donahue's arrival comes as tensions between Washington and Moscow are escalating over Ukraine. As a part of the U.S. protection plans for a doable Russian invasion, 1,700 U.S. troops can be deployed alongside the Polish border, below President Joe Biden's order. They'll be a part of about 4,000 troops which were within the nation since 2017. However that is considerably lower than the over 100,000 troops Russia has stationed close to its border with Ukraine, which it insists can't be a part of NATO.

"Our nationwide contribution right here in Poland reveals our solidarity with all of our allies right here in Europe, and, clearly, throughout this era of uncertainty we all know that we're stronger collectively," Donahue mentioned Sunday upon his arrival at Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport, 56 miles from Poland's border with Ukraine. He's with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Maj. Gen. Donahue
Just a few dozen elite U.S troops and tools have been seen touchdown Sunday in southeastern Poland close to the border with Ukraine. Above, Main Basic Christopher Donahue, left, commanding common of the 82nd Airborne Division, and Polish Basic Wojciech Marchwica communicate to journalists on the Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland on Sunday.Photograph by Janek Skarzynski/AFP by way of Getty Pictures

The arrival of U.S. troops in Poland got here Sunday as a high aide to Biden spoke about the potential for a Russian assault on Ukraine. White Home nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned the potential fallout from an invasion could possibly be catastrophic, prompting Biden to arrange U.S. navy forces for no matter happens.

"If warfare breaks out, it'll come at an infinite human value to Ukraine, however we imagine that based mostly on our preparations and our response, it'll come at a strategic value to Russia as properly," Sullivan mentioned.

"The important thing factor is that the USA must be and is ready for any of these contingencies and in lockstep with our allies and companions. Now we have bolstered and reassured our allies on the jap flank," the nationwide safety adviser added.

Biden's deployment of the troops is being met with scrutiny from congressional Republicans. Newsweekbeforehand reported that GOP Consultant Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina had some selection phrases for the president after his choice to deploy troops. Talking on the ground of the Home, he mentioned that the deployment shouldn't be tolerated by service members.

"Madam Speaker, the little children of America usually are not foot troopers to your get together's inept geriatric despot," Cawthorn mentioned, referring to Biden. "They don't seem to be expendable pawns to be dispatched on the whims of an fool, tossed carelessly around the globe to godforsaken caves and bloody sandboxes. They're People, worthy of honor and dignity. The one salute from them Joe Biden deserves entails one finger."

The White Home didn't reply with a remark to Newsweek's reporting of Cawthorn's remarks.

Newsweek has reached out to North Carolina's Fort Bragg, which is house to the 82nd Airborne Division, for remark however didn't hear again earlier than publication.

Replace 02/07/2022, 11:26 a.m. ET: This story has been up to date with extra background and data.