King Highlights Impacts of Extraordinary Military Resources Moving to Middle East

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), emphasized Russia's current warfare capabilities in Eastern Europe, particularly in the Baltics, and the far-reaching impacts of America's heightening military strikes in Iran. In a conversation with General Alexus Grynkewich, United States Air Force Commander of United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, King also questioned the impacts to Ukraine's fight against Russia's illegal invasion as American assets are moved into the Middle East theater for the campaign against Iran.

Senator King began his questioning by asking whether the Russians are using the Iran military operation as an opportunity to conduct cyber attacks against NATO allies.

Senator King began his questioning, "General Grynkowich, to what extent are the Russians -- there has been discussion about this -- probing in eastern Europe and doing asymmetric warfare in the Baltics, for example, in Poland? Disinformation, cyber-attacks, even drone incursions what are the Russians up to, are they building troops up along their western border?"

"Yes Senator, right now we see a fairly robust amount of what we call Russian hybrid activities or asymmetric activities," General Grynkewich replied. "You mentioned some of those whether it is information operations or sabotage and those types of things. There have been several incidences in the Baltics, and Poland in particular, in the last several months since I have been in command. As far as conventional true buildups, most of the Russian ground forces are focused on Ukraine. We do not see significant Russian buildups right now. But I know there are concerns those could be coming at some point in the future. Particularly once Russia is able to reconstitute its forces."

Senator King then asked the General about the primary positions of air defense capabilities in the EUCOM theater and how that impacts Ukraine's defense.

Senator King continued, "And if President Zelenskyy was here, what would be the one thing he would he tell us that he needed right now? I suspect you hear that regularly."

"He would ask for air defense capability based on the Russian attacks on his heating and electrical infrastructure," General Grynkewich replied.

Senator King followed up, "A great deal of capability is now tied up in the Gulf region, is that correct?"

"Senator yes, we have a robust defense set of air capability in the Middle East," General Grynkewich confirmed. "And I have used some of our EUCOM defense capabilities to defend some of our NATO allies as well."

"In the Middle East?" Senator King clarified.

"Near the Middle East if you will, the eastern Mediterranean," General Grynkewich answered.

Senator King clarified again, "Okay so, air defense capability has been moved towards the Middle East as a result of this conflict?"

General Grynkewich replied, "Yes, sir."

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King is recognized as an authoritative voice on national security and foreign policy issues. Immediately following the American airstrikes Iran, he released a statement asking for answers and consultation with Congress before proceeding with further military action in the Middle East. Senator King is also a co-sponsor to the a war powers resolution S.J. Res 104.

Senator King has also been a vocal supporter for Ukraine, voting in support of bipartisan legislation that would help Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan defend themselves. In the days prior to that vote, he spoke on the Senate floor to his colleague that Ukraine's fight is a "battle for the soul of Democracy in the world." In January 2023, Senator King travelled with Armed Services Chairmen Jack Reed (D-R) in a visit to meet Ukraine President Vladimir Zelenskyy in Kiev. Most recently, he joined CBS' 60 Minutes to explain why walking away from Ukraine would be the nation's greatest geopolitical mistake since World War II.

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