U.S. cuts number of military brigades stationed in Europe to 2021 levels
The U.S. is planning on reducing its military presence in Europe (Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo)
The Pentagon has decided to reduce the number of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) in Europe from four to three, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced in a statement on May 20.
“This returns us to the levels of BCTs in Europe in 2021,” the statement read.
“This decision was the result of a comprehensive, multilayered process focused on U.S. force posture in Europe.”
Parnell noted that the Pentagon will consider U.S. strategic requirements and allies’ ability to provide forces when determining troop deployments in Europe.
“This analysis is designed to advance President Trump’s America First agenda in Europe and other theaters, including by incentivizing and enabling our NATO allies to take primary responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense,” he wrote.
The Pentagon spokesperson added that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed future military cooperation with Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
“The Department will remain in close contact with our Polish counterparts as this analysis proceeds, including to ensure that the United States retains a strong military presence in Poland,” he said.
“Poland has shown both the ability and resolve to defend itself. Other NATO allies should follow suit.”
CBS News and Reuters reported on May 1 that the Pentagon may withdraw about 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany. According to the reports, this decision is tied to President Donald Trump growing frustration with European allies over their stance on the U.S. war against Iran.
The U.S. President confirmed on May 3 that some U.S. troops would leave bases in Germany, saying the reduction would be larger than the 5,000 reported earlier.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was ready to accept differing views from Trump for the sake of cooperation within NATO, while stressing that this did not relate to Washington’s plans to reduce its military presence in Germany.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius later urged European countries to boost defense, calling Trump’s intentions an “expected step” that should push Europeans to take greater responsibility for their own security.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after the reports that transatlantic solidarity is effectively on the verge of collapse.
Bild reported on May 4 that the U.S. has begun withdrawing 5,000 troops from the Grafenwoehr training area in Germany.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
