The United States is demanding that the German Army (Bundeswehr) take a more active role on NATO’s eastern flank. This is thought to have the effect of scaring Russia militarily. Up to this point, Germany has held back on the issue of stationing troops there. Now Washington is increasing its pressure on Angela Merkel.

According to a report from der Spiegel that cites government sources, the US is calling for strong German support in its fight against Russia in Eastern Europe. Washington talks about the need for “deterrence” and urges [Germany] to agree to more participation in the plan to station both outgoing and incoming units at NATO’s eastern border.

The US is expecting to receive troops and military equipment, mostly from the UK and Germany, to beef up its NATO presence in the Baltic States, Poland, and Romania. US President Barack Obama announced this at the National Security Council, according to the report.

Der Spiegel is of the opinion that the United States’ demand to station troops puts the German federal government in a tight spot. Up to this point, Berlin has been noncommittal during the whole planning process, due to the fact that the Bundeswehr is already deeply involved in the new task force of NATO and has extended itself in this regard well into 2020.

NATO announced a few days ago that it will continue to expand eastward. It claims that Russia is behaving aggressively.

Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, NATO has gradually strengthened its presence in the Eastern European NATO countries. The US also announced that it would station a permanent tank brigade in Eastern Europe.

On Monday, Obama will meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) at a summit meeting in Hannover. French President Francois Hollande, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will also be in attendance.