Poland declares “disintegration of NATO” after US decision to withdraw troops from Europe
Фото: Reuters
The administration of US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of 5,000 American troops from Germany amid escalating disputes between the US and its European allies. Poland and Germany have already stated the risks to NATO and the need to strengthen European defense.
This is reported by Reuters .
The Pentagon said it plans to complete the withdrawal of US troops from Germany within the next 6-12 months. According to a US Defense Department spokesman, the reduction will return the number of US troops in Europe to the level that existed before 2022, before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It is also reported that a U.S. brigade combat group will be withdrawn from Germany. In addition, a long-range fire support battalion that the Joe Biden administration planned to deploy to Germany later this year will no longer be sent to the country.
“The president has made his frustration with our allies’ rhetoric and their failure to support U.S. operations that benefit them very clearly,” a Pentagon spokesman said.
Germany remains the largest U.S. military base in Europe, with about 35,000 U.S. troops stationed there, and the country itself is a key training and logistics hub for the U.S. military on the continent.
In the wake of Washington’s decision, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of a dangerous trend within NATO. In a post on the social network X, he warned of the risks to the transatlantic alliance.
“The greatest threat to the transatlantic community is not external enemies, but the ongoing process of disintegration of our alliance. We must all do everything necessary to stop this destructive trend,” Tusk said.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the reduction in the US military presence was expected, adding that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security.
“It was anticipated that the US would withdraw troops from Europe, particularly from Germany,” Pistorius said.
The minister also said that Germany is expanding the size of the Bundeswehr, accelerating arms purchases and developing military infrastructure. He said that future European defense missions will be implemented in cooperation with the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Poland.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that after the end of the war in Iran, the US would review its membership in the North Atlantic Alliance .
Recall that Trump may begin the official process of the United States’ withdrawal from NATO . This decision is seen not only as a threat to the solidarity of the allies, but also as an element of an internal electoral strategy to strengthen ratings.
By the way, former US special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg stated the possible need to create alternative military alliances to replace NATO . He also suggested the possibility of the US invoking Article 13 of the Alliance to prepare for withdrawal.
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