NATO allies on Monday sought to project calm after the United States announced a significant reduction of its military presence in Europe, while privately acknowledging growing uncertainty over Washington’s long-term security commitment to the continent.
US President Donald Trump confirmed plans to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany, a move that comes amid heightened tensions with Berlin over the Iran conflict and broader disagreements within the alliance. The decision has renewed concerns about transatlantic cohesion at a time when Europe is already grappling with Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
European leaders, meeting in Yerevan for the European Political Community (EPC) summit alongside Canada’s Mark Carney, responded by emphasizing the need for greater European strategic autonomy. French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe was “taking its destiny into its own hands,” pointing to increased defence spending and efforts to develop shared security frameworks.
Trump, who has repeatedly argued that European allies should assume greater responsibility for their own defence, has long signalled intentions to reduce US troop deployments in Europe. The latest announcement follows years of pressure from Washington for NATO members to increase military spending, including a pledge last year to raise defence expenditure to five per cent of GDP.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the timing of the US decision was unexpected, even if troop reductions had been under discussion for some time. “It shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in NATO,” she said, while stressing that US forces in Europe serve both European and American strategic interests.
According to the Pentagon, the troop reduction will be implemented within the next year. Trump has also suggested that further withdrawals could follow, including potential cuts to US deployments in Italy and Spain. Current estimates place US troop levels at around 36,436 in Germany, 12,662 in Italy, and 3,814 in Spain.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged dissatisfaction in Washington over European reluctance to support US-Israeli actions against Iran. However, he said European allies had “heard the message” and were now increasing logistical support and repositioning key assets closer to operational theatres.
Despite public reassurances, the move underscores widening strategic friction within NATO and raises fresh questions about the future balance of security responsibilities between the United States and its European allies.