Russia invades Ukraine, Biden surges 20,000 additional U.S. troops to Europe reinforcing Germany and Poland

Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, prompting President Joe Biden to deploy 20,000 additional U.S. troops to Europe. Germany receives reinforcements at Grafenwöhr and Wiesbaden as U.S. European Command activates its largest force posture since the Cold War. Biden also activates NATO's Response Force for the first time in alliance history. Total U.S. forces in Europe surge from roughly 80,000 to more than 100,000 by March 2022. The invasion reverses two decades of post-Cold War downsizing in Europe and re-establishes Germany as a critical NATO hub.