US weighs options to reassure E. Europe allies over Ukraine
A team of army officers might travel to Europe "soon" to start planning for a more large-scale exercise, the official said.
Hagel told reporters aboard his plane that while diplomacy remained Washington's focus to defuse the crisis, the United States and its NATO partners were looking at more measures designed to reassure alliance members on Russia's border.In the aftermath of Russia's incursion in Crimea, governments have asked NATO's supreme commander, General Philip Breedlove, to present a list of possible options aimed at demonstrating the alliance's commitment to Eastern European members, including joint exercises, training and other steps, officials said."We've asked him (Breedlove) to look at the full range of measures," Hagel said.But the Pentagon chief would not be drawn on whether the United States would consider permanently basing troops in Eastern Europe."We continue to look at different possibilities and options," he said.
