United States President Joe Biden landed in Belgium on Wednesday to huddle with European allies and address the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. He will also visit Poland later this week as part of the tour.

While the United States and European allies have presented a “united front” against Russia so far, Ukraine faces the wrath of Russian forces. Economic and humanitarian crises have rattled western Europe. 

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Here is what to expect from Biden’s diplomatic tour to Europe:

More sanctions

Jake Sullivan, Biden’s National Security Advisor, said that US would coordinate with allies on military assistance for Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia during meetings Thursday with NATO officials, Group of Seven leaders and European Union allies.

More NATO troops

A “long-term game plan” is on the cards as Biden visits Europe to meet allies. The military alliance is expected to determine what forces and capabilities are going to be required for the alliance’s eastern flank countries, the White House said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said four new battlegroups, which usually number between 1,000 and 1,500 troops, are being temporarily set up in Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.

A permanent force posture is expected to be formally announced at the next NATO summit in Madrid in June, according to reports from Associated Press.

Refugee aid

Biden, who will also visit the European Council, may use the opportunity to announce fresh humanitarian aid for those fleeing Ukraine as a result of Russia’s invasion. 

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Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, the country was considering how it “can effectively channel resources to support countries, particularly the neighboring countries that are bearing such a burden — Poland, little Moldova, Romania, others”, Washington Post reported.

Will Biden go to Ukraine?

When the White House first announced Biden’s trip to Europe, a visit to Kyiv was the question of the hour. However, Biden’s Secretary Jen Psaki later cleared that Biden has no plans to visit war-torn Ukraine currently. The visit would also have been a security concern, the Post reported.