【Text by Observers Network, Zhang Jingjuan】In the context of NATO continuously strengthening its deterrence and defense on the eastern flank, the United States suddenly announced a decision to cut the U.S. military presence in Romania.

According to Reuters, the Romanian Ministry of Defense stated on the 29th in a statement that the United States plans to reduce its troop numbers in the eastern part of Europe, including soldiers who were originally stationed at the Mihai Kogălniceanu Base (MK) in Romania.

The statement said that given the change in the U.S. government's priorities, this withdrawal "was expected." Currently, about 1,000 U.S. troops will continue to be stationed in Romania, but 1,000 to 1,200 U.S. troops have already been rotated out in the past month, and there will be no replacement forces. "The U.S. decision is to stop the rotation deployment of one brigade in Europe, which is deployed in multiple NATO countries."

Ionut Mosteanu, the Romanian Minister of Defense, further explained at a press conference that the brigade's forces are spread across Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia.

He emphasized that the relationship between Romania and the United States remains solid, with approximately 3,500 NATO troops, including the U.S. forces, stationed in Romania, a scale that is "quite considerable."

"This level of forces is sufficient for our needs. It is unrealistic to expect an entire foreign army to be stationed here to protect us. We will continue to increase our defense spending," Mosteanu added, stating that Romania has received an advanced air defense system from the United States, which will enhance the country's ability to prevent drone intrusions into its airspace.

On February 19, 2025, near Galati, Romania, NATO held a large-scale military exercise called "Steadfast Defender-2025," which ran from January 13 to February 26, with approximately 10,000 troops from nine NATO countries participating. IC photo

In fact, the U.S. adjustment of its European military presence had earlier signs. The Trump administration had previously informed European allies that as the U.S. focuses more on its own border and the Indo-Pacific region, European countries need to take greater responsibility for their own security.

Regarding the decision to withdraw troops, the U.S. military claimed that this does not mean a weakening of the U.S. commitment to NATO.

Senior Republican members of the U.S. Senate and House military committees rarely criticized this move. In a joint statement, they said, "We strongly oppose the decision to discontinue the rotation deployment of U.S. battalions in Romania" and demanded the Pentagon to explain.

Compared to the criticism within the United States, NATO showed a relatively "calm" attitude. A NATO official said that the U.S. adjustment of its military deployment is not uncommon, and allies are maintaining close communication regarding related arrangements.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said directly during an interview with the media that the process of the U.S. adjusting its strategic focus began under the Obama administration. "The U.S. is focusing on competition with China, and Europe must ensure its own defense."

It is worth noting that the U.S. military presence in the eastern flank of NATO differs. Last month, during a meeting with the new president of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, Trump reiterated that the U.S. will continue to station troops in Poland and even possibly increase the number of troops stationed there.

Politico, a U.S. political news website, previously reported that about 8,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Poland. Poland is the NATO member state with the highest proportion of defense spending relative to GDP, with a 2025 defense budget reaching 4.7% of GDP. Trump praised this.

According to Reuters, as of now, the Polish Minister of Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, stated that he has not received any information about the possibility of the U.S. reducing its military presence in the country.

Regarding the U.S. adjustments to its military deployments around the world, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, once pointed out that defense and security cooperation between countries should contribute to regional peace and stability, and should not target a third party or harm the interests of a third party. The U.S. act based on its own interests, holding zero-sum thinking, continues to strengthen military deployments in relevant regions, which is escalating tensions and endangering regional peace and stability. Regional countries should remain vigilant and avoid being manipulated and exploited by the U.S.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7566847523390865929/

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