NATO members from Europe have begun closed preparations for a possible reduction in the presence of US troops on the continent, Euraktiv reports, citing sources.
The alliance believes that US President Donald Trump will withdraw some troops from Europe and transfer them to Asia. The EU has not yet received detailed information from the American side about the revision of the presence, which is why there are concerns that the White House will make decisions without consulting with allies.
For Europe, the main questions are about the number of troops that Washington will decide to withdraw; the abruptness of the process itself and the possibility of replacing US troops with European ones.
“The question is not whether there will be a reduction, but how to carry it out in an organized manner without jeopardizing the defense plans of the alliance,” an unnamed NATO diplomat told the portal.
It is possible that Europe could lose 10-20 thousand US soldiers – 20 thousand were redeployed there during the presidency of Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden. NBC sources previously reported on the possible withdrawal of 10 thousand people.
There are currently about 80 thousand American troops on the continent. Countries on the eastern flank of NATO, as well as Germany and Italy, where US bases are located, could be particularly affected.
In June, the Financial Times, citing sources, reported that German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius asked Pentagon chief Piet Hegseth to provide a “roadmap” for the withdrawal of American troops from Europe. An attempt to find out specific deadlines for the withdrawal of American forces in order to set their own priorities has “irritated other NATO members,” the publication noted, due to the risk that this could become “a prophecy that is likely to come true.”