German army reinforcements reach Lithuania amid Ukraine crisis – EURACTIV.com

A German army convoy of 130 soldiers and 60 vehicles reached Lithuania on Thursday (17 February), bringing almost half of planned reinforcements for the country’s German-led NATO battlegroup amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday there was now every indication Russia was planning to invade Ukraine, including signs Moscow was carrying out a false flag operation to provide a pretext, after Ukrainian government forces and pro-Moscow separatists traded fire.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said he was assured by German Chancellor Olof Scholz on Thursday in Brussels the German soldiers are authorized fight to defend Lithuania.