World News Briefs -- January 25, 2022

Daily Mail: Biden is weighing activating MORE US troops after putting 8,500 on heightened alert: Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby says more could be told to stand ready for possible deployment to Eastern Europe

* Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told CNN on Tuesday that President Joe Biden is not ruling out putting more U.S. forces on heightened alert

* 'We're certainly not going to rule out other options. Our job is to provide options to the president – to the commander in chief – and we're going to continue to do that,' Kirby said

* Added: 'I certainly would not rule out the possibility that we could be putting additional forces on heightened alert in the coming days and weeks. And maybe even moving troops around Europe that are already there'

* During a Defense Department briefing on Monday, Kirby announced that 8,500 U.S. troops have been put on standby for deployment as the world watches to see if Russia will invade Ukraine

* A report claims Biden is considering deploying up to 50,000 U.S. troops should should Russia invade Ukraine

* European allies are worried that Putin would cut off their supply chain in retaliation for any economic sanctions the U.S. has vowed

* U.S. is working with energy producers in Middle East, Asia and North Africa to ensure Europe has enough supplies in case Russia cuts off availability and is promising harsh sanctions if Russian invades Ukraine

* The administration will hold two classified congressional briefings on Tuesday

* Meetings will update congressional leadership aides and committee staff on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, according to a new report

* With Congress out of session this week, members of the House and Senate will have to wait until next week to work on getting their own briefings

Joe Biden could put even more U.S. forces on heightened alert after the Pentagon announced Monday that 8,500 troops were put on standby for possible deployment to Eastern Europe as Russia comes closer to invading Ukraine.

'We're certainly not going to rule out other options,' Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told CNN Tuesday.

'Our job is to provide options to the president – to the commander in chief – and we're going to continue to do that.' 'And so, I certainly would not rule out the possibility that we could be putting additional forces on heightened alert in the coming days and weeks,' he continued.

'And maybe even moving troops around Europe that are already there to bolster and to reassure some of our allies on the ground on the continent.'

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