Senior Defense Department officials are considering withdrawing 10,000 troops from Eastern Europe (Romania and Poland), raising concerns on both continents that it could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was reported by NBC News, according to which the units under consideration are among the 20,000 troops that the Biden administration deployed in 2022 to strengthen the defenses of countries bordering Ukraine after the Russian invasion, reports A2 CNN.
The numbers are still being discussed, but the proposal could include removing up to half of the forces Biden has sent.
The internal discussions about reducing US troop levels in Romania and Poland come at a time when President Donald Trump is trying to convince Putin to agree to a ceasefire.
Six U.S. and European officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described numerous details of the proposal that have not previously been reported to NBC News. If the Pentagon approves the proposal, it would reinforce fears that the United States is abandoning its longtime allies in Europe, who see Russia as a growing threat, European officials said.
The Russians would "view the reduction of US forces as a weakening of deterrence, and that will increase their willingness to intervene in various ways across the spectrum in Europe," said Seth Jones, a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The Trump administration has made it clear that it wants European allies to take more responsibility for their own defense, allowing the United States to focus its military resources on China and other priorities. (A2 Televizion)
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