Reference News Network, October 30 - According to the website of Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung, on October 29, it was reported that for the first time since President Trump took office, the United States has reduced its troop numbers in Europe. According to the U.S. Army, a U.S. brigade that had been stationed in several Eastern European countries for the past nine months will be withdrawn, and no other units will replace it.

As a result, the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe will decrease by approximately 3,500. Previously, due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United States significantly increased its military presence in Europe - over the past few years, the number of U.S. troops stationed on the territory of NATO member states in Europe increased from about 60,000 to about 80,000, and sometimes even approached 100,000.

NATO stated on the 29th that the U.S. had informed it of this plan to reduce troop numbers. The withdrawal of some U.S. troops is not unusual and was expected. During his first term, President Trump had similar plans.

Brussels also emphasized that even after withdrawing one brigade, the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe remains higher than before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, and the deterrence capability of NATO will not be affected.

The report pointed out that if the U.S. troop numbers are indeed only reduced by a few thousand, the above statement may hold, but this point is still unclear. Brussels' security policy officials believe that this reduction in rotating U.S. forces may just be the first step toward a significant cut in the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe.

The report said that ending the rotation of troops is a way for the U.S. government to quickly and significantly reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe. Whether President Trump and Secretary of Defense Austin will implement this plan will be clear in the coming months. At that time, the Pentagon will submit a study on the deployment of U.S. military forces around the world, known as the "Global Posture Review" report. The Brussels diplomatic community expects that this report will plan for a reduction in the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe. (Translated by Jiao Yu)

U.S. troops in Europe conducting paratrooper training (AFP photo)

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