Germany has called for Europe to strengthen its own defence capabilities after the United States announced plans to withdraw around 5,000 troops from German territory.
The decision has sparked concern among US lawmakers and NATO allies. The move comes amid rising transatlantic tensions over security and trade disputes.
The Pentagon has confirmed a planned reduction of approximately 5,000 troops stationed in Germany.
The withdrawal is expected to take place over the next six to twelve months, though specific bases affected have not yet been disclosed.
The decision also cancels a Biden-era plan to deploy a long-range missile battalion in Germany, which had been seen as a key deterrent against Russia.
The move marks a significant shift in US military positioning in Europe.
Germany calls for greater European responsibility
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the withdrawal should push Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security.
He noted that Germany is already expanding its armed forces and speeding up military procurement to strengthen defence readiness.
Germany aims to increase its armed forces from around 185,000 to 260,000 active personnel, alongside infrastructure and procurement reforms.
Pistorius said the country is “on the right track” in adapting to new security challenges.
US political concerns over withdrawal
Two senior Republican lawmakers, Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Mike Rogers, expressed strong concern over the decision.
They warned that reducing US military presence in Europe could weaken deterrence against Russia.
The lawmakers said troops should not leave Europe entirely but instead be repositioned further east to maintain security balance.
They argued that premature reductions could send the “wrong signal” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
NATO seeks clarification
NATO has said it is working with Washington to understand the full details of the troop withdrawal plan.
Allies across Europe are reportedly seeking clarity on how the decision will affect regional defence commitments.
The troop announcement comes amid wider tensions between the United States and Europe.
Disputes over the Iran conflict, trade tariffs, and defence strategy have added strain to relations between key allies.US President Donald Trump has also signalled increased tariffs on European goods, further complicating diplomatic relations.
The US military presence in Germany has been a cornerstone of NATO defence since the post-World War Two era.
Germany hosts major US facilities including Ramstein Air Base and Landstuhl medical center, both critical to past and ongoing military operations.
The cancellation of a long-range fires battalion is seen as a significant operational gap, as the US currently holds key missile capabilities within NATO forces.
