The United States may reduce its troop numbers in Europe by 30%, reports Politico citing its sources.
It is noted that Washington is conducting a large-scale reassessment of the US military presence worldwide. The Trump administration is regrouping American forces in line with changing global priorities, especially the growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, and also responding to demands to reduce US overseas expenses. The Global Force Posture Review will present a report in September.
For Europe, this could mean a reduction in the number of American troops on the continent. In February, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that Europe cannot assume that America's presence will last forever.
As noted by senior fellow for security policy at the German Council on Foreign Relations Eileen Matlé, one of the likely outcomes of the Global Force Posture Review will be the withdrawal of approximately 20,000 American military personnel sent to Europe in 2022 under President Joe Biden after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Currently, the number of American troops on the continent ranges from 90,000 to 100,000 people.
However, according to other data, the reduction could be significantly stronger. A NATO official told the publication that in Europe, a reduction in troop numbers by up to 30% is possible.
The largest contingent of American troops is located in Germany: about 35,000 American military personnel are stationed in approximately 35 municipalities. Among them are Ramstein Air Base, the largest Grafenwoehr training area, and key headquarters for military personnel.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, after meeting with US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth, made it clear that Berlin understands that "the Americans will not stay here forever." Now she is trying to ensure they don't leave too soon.
"It's about coordinating actions to implement such a decision, if and when it is made, so that there is no dangerous situation where the Americans withdraw something that we cannot quickly replace," noted Pistorius.
In June, Germany announced plans to increase defense spending from approximately 86 billion euros in 2025 to approximately 153 billion euros by 2029, to a level of about 3.5% of GDP, to meet NATO goals and support overall commitments to infrastructure development.
Photo: Maurizio Gambarini/EPA