Even if these troops were sent there months ago, this is the first time they are publicly announcing it.

In response to the most urgent danger to European security since the end of World War II, we have moved swiftly with our allies to further unify and strengthen NATO. The Alliance has bolstered its defenses on the Eastern Flank. Meanwhile, the United States has deployed or extended more than 20,000 additional U.S. forces to Europe and forward-stationed the first permanent U.S. forces on NATO's Eastern Flank. NATO is more united than ever, and the U.S. commitment to defend every inch of allied territory remains ironclad.

This is an additional 20,000 to who's already there. You don't do that unless you are in War, or preparing for it.

Even if these troops were sent there months ago, this is the first time they are publicly announcing it.