Potential US Troop Cuts in Europe Raise Fears of Russian Threat

The Pentagon is reportedly considering a proposal to withdraw 10,000 troops from Europe, The Gaze reports, citing NBC News.

The potential move has raised alarm among European leaders, who fear that the removal of such a significant number of forces could embolden Russia to escalate his aggression in Europe.

The units under review are part of the 20,000 troops deployed by the Biden administration in 2022 to bolster the defenses of NATO countries bordering Ukraine, particularly in Poland and Romania, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“The Russians would assess a downsizing of U.S. forces as a weakening of deterrence, and it will increase their willingness to meddle 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 had previously emphasized the need for European allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense, enabling the U.S. to focus more on China and other strategic priorities.

In addition, U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) has announced plans to reposition military equipment and personnel from Jasionka, Poland, to other locations within the country. According to a press release from USAREUR-AF, this transition is part of a broader strategy aimed at optimizing U.S. military operations in Europe.

The decision follows months of coordinated assessments with Polish authorities and NATO allies. Jasionka has served as a vital hub for delivering military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022. Going forward, these operations will continue under the leadership of Poland and NATO.

While the site at Jasionka was not a permanent Polish military base, it has been used extensively by U.S., NATO, and partner forces over the past three years.

Currently, approximately 80,000 American troops are stationed across Europe. Following the onset of Russia’s war on Ukraine, U.S. lawmakers from both parties supported maintaining a strong military presence along NATO’s eastern flank as a clear signal of commitment to the defense of member states.

As The Gaze previously reported, the Federal Intelligence Service and the German Armed Forces have learned that Russia is preparing for a major war with NATO.

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