Romania's defence ministry has said the US intends to reduce some of its troops stationed on NATO's eastern flank. Between 900 and 1,000 American troops will remain in Romania, Bucharest said - down from 1,700. The ministry indicated that this decision was anticipated, remarking that the resizing of US forces reflects the new priorities of the Trump administration.
Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu stated that his US counterpart Pete Hegseth had recently conveyed to the Europeans the necessity of focusing more on their self-defense, as the US reorients its military commitment towards the Indo-Pacific region.
One US brigade at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase, poised to become NATO's largest in Europe, will be rotated out without replacement, Mosteanu clarified. Although it remains uncertain if US troops in Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Hungary will be withdrawn, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that Warsaw currently has no information on any potential reduction of US troop presence.
Minister Mosteanu also confirmed that the US presence at the Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases would remain unchanged. Since assuming office in January, US President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to shift the primary focus of US military engagement from Europe towards Asia, constantly urging European NATO members to take on more responsibility for their own defense.
The announcement of troop withdrawals has raised alarms for Eastern European countries, particularly those perceiving a looming threat from Russia. Following Bucharest's announcement, a NATO official reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the alliance, stating that adjustments of this nature are not unusual. With over 100,000 US military personnel deployed in Europe as of late last year, officials stress that US force posture in Europe remains substantial.
Last month, NATO launched the Eastern Sentry mission to enhance vigilance along the eastern flank after several Russian drones infiltrated Polish airspace—the gravest incident of its kind since the ongoing war commenced in February 2022. Romania also reported that a Russian drone had breached its airspace, adding to regional tensions.
Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu stated that his US counterpart Pete Hegseth had recently conveyed to the Europeans the necessity of focusing more on their self-defense, as the US reorients its military commitment towards the Indo-Pacific region.
One US brigade at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase, poised to become NATO's largest in Europe, will be rotated out without replacement, Mosteanu clarified. Although it remains uncertain if US troops in Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Hungary will be withdrawn, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that Warsaw currently has no information on any potential reduction of US troop presence.
Minister Mosteanu also confirmed that the US presence at the Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases would remain unchanged. Since assuming office in January, US President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to shift the primary focus of US military engagement from Europe towards Asia, constantly urging European NATO members to take on more responsibility for their own defense.
The announcement of troop withdrawals has raised alarms for Eastern European countries, particularly those perceiving a looming threat from Russia. Following Bucharest's announcement, a NATO official reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the alliance, stating that adjustments of this nature are not unusual. With over 100,000 US military personnel deployed in Europe as of late last year, officials stress that US force posture in Europe remains substantial.
Last month, NATO launched the Eastern Sentry mission to enhance vigilance along the eastern flank after several Russian drones infiltrated Polish airspace—the gravest incident of its kind since the ongoing war commenced in February 2022. Romania also reported that a Russian drone had breached its airspace, adding to regional tensions.
