Estonia Warns Europe to Prepare for Possible US Troop Cuts

Estonian President Alar Karis has called on Baltic European countries to prepare for a possible reduction in US troops in the region, stressing the importance of building up their own defense capabilities.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to Politico.

Alar Karis warned that European countries bordering Russia must be prepared for a possible reduction in US troops in the region.

“The presence of U.S. troops in Estonia — not only in Estonia, in Europe — is crucial, and it's important for the United States, not just Europe,” said the Estonian leader at the country's representation to the European Union.

Karis stressed that although some of Donald Trump's statements, particularly regarding the preservation of US troops in Poland, reassured him, predictions about Washington's policy remain difficult.

The Estonian leader called on the Baltic countries to prepare for any scenario and to build up their own military capabilities. He recalled that about 2,000 American soldiers are currently deployed in Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia as part of efforts to strengthen defense capabilities after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

At the same time, the Pentagon is reviewing its global force structure, and the results of this review, led by Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, are expected at the end of the month. Karris stressed that it is important for Estonia and other neighbors of Russia not to rely solely on the American presence but to strengthen their own armed forces to ensure the security of the region.

At the same time, Estonian President Alar Karis emphasized that much in relations with Russia depends on US President Donald Trump. According to him, the American President “has been discussing with Putin so many times and nothing really happens.”

“I think he is already losing his temper,” added the President of Estonia.

Karis also warned Europe against excessive naivety regarding the Kremlin, which continues to test Western democracies. At the same time, he stressed that it is not only the Baltic countries that should limit their attention to their border with Russia. The whole of Europe is at risk.

"Modern missiles can start from Moscow and end up in The Hague and Brussels in just a few minutes," he said.

The Gaze previously informed that the US President Donald Trump is discussing with European partners the possibility of involving private military contractors in Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached.