U.S. defense secretary heads to Europe for NATO talks, visit troops

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin departs a U.S. Senate classified briefing on the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 3, 2022.REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin heads to Brussels on Tuesday for talks with NATO allies and to visit U.S. troops in Poland as Washington remains focused on the risk of a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Austin's departure came as Russia said some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine. It was unclear how many units were being withdrawn, and by what distance.