BERLIN ,: European leaders have described the decision to withdraw US troops from Germany as unexpected, following President Donald Trump’s announcement that Washington will reduce its military presence in the country by more than the 5,000 troops initially disclosed by the Pentagon.
According to international media reports, the Pentagon announced last week that it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. However, President Trump stated on Saturday that a “significant reduction” is forthcoming, adding that “much more than 5,000 troops will be withdrawn.” The US President did not provide any reason for the move, a silence that has caught NATO allies by surprise.
The decision comes amid growing tensions between President Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the US‑Israeli war against Iran. Reports indicate that Trump has also expressed anger that European allies have been hesitant to join the Middle East conflict.
European reactions
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, while downplaying the immediate tactical impact, emphasized that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security.
“I will not exaggerate because I think Europe is going to take care of most of its own security,” Støre told reporters in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. “I don’t consider these figures dramatic, but I think this issue should be dealt with in a coordinated manner within the framework of NATO.”
European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas noted that while the possibility of a US troop withdrawal from Europe has been discussed for a long time, the timing and manner of the announcement were nevertheless surprising.
“I think it shows that we really need to strengthen the European pillar in NATO,” Kallas said.
The planned drawdown raises fresh questions about transatlantic military cooperation and NATO’s eastern flank deterrence, particularly as European leaders call for closer coordination within the alliance.
