That concludes our live-blogging of the Ukraine crisis for Saturday, June 13. Check back here tomorrow for more of our continuing coverage.
Pentagon Proposes U.S. Heavy Weaponry In Europe To Deter Russia
The New York Times has quoted U.S. and allied officials as saying that the United States is "poised to station battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and other heavy weapons for as many as 5,000 American troops in several Baltic and Eastern European countries," in the paper's words.
It describes the possible Pentagon move as "the most prominent of a series of moves" by Washington and NATO "to deter possible Russian aggression in Europe" following Russia's occupation and mostly unrecognized annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
The Times quotes a former supreme allied commander of NATO, retired Admiral James G. Stavridis, as calling it "a very meaningful shift in policy" in an effort to reassure "jittery allies."
The so-called "prepositioned stocks" of equipment would be minor compared to what Russia could mobilize against its neighbors but could send a signal of U.S. commitment.
The Pentagon proposal still needs approval from U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and President Barack Obama, the report notes.