Rutte shrugs off shrinking US military presence in Europe as ‘expected’

NATO chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday played down Donald Trump’s sudden moves to pull troops and capabilities out of Europe, vowing any reductions would take place in a “structured way.” Washington this month announced it would withdraw at least 5,000 soldiers from Europe , including canceling the deployment of a rotational unit to Poland — a move that blindsided NATO allies and dealt a fresh blow to the already ailing transatlantic relationship. “We know that adjustments will take place, the U.S.

But “this will take place over time, in a structured way,” he added, insisting “the U.S. will stay involved in Europe.” The move to redeploy troops came in response to a personal spat between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war. While Poland — long considered one of America’s staunchest EU allies — hurriedly dispatched officials to Washington this week to seek clarity on the unexpected move to halt the deployment of soldiers there. The decision has left Europe stunned. did not brief allies in advance of the announcements, according to two senior alliance diplomats, who were granted anonymity to speak freely about the sensitive matter. It has yet to give details on exactly how the drawdowns will play out, they said. Department of Defense issued a statement on Tuesday saying it “has reduced the total number of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) assigned to Europe from four to three,” which would bring U.S. force posture in Europe back to 2021 levels — before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The move is designed to enhance Trump’s “America First agenda,” the statement added. The statement also emphasized that Poland was a “model ally” and that U.S. officials were speaking with their Polish counterparts about the delayed deployment. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met on Wednesday with U.S.

Key points

• But “this will take place over time, in a structured way,” he added, insisting “the U.S.
• will stay involved in Europe.” The move to redeploy troops came in response to a personal spat between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war.
• While Poland — long considered one of America’s staunchest EU allies — hurriedly dispatched officials to Washington this week to seek clarity on the unexpected move to halt the deployment of soldie…
• The decision has left Europe stunned.
• did not brief allies in advance of the announcements, according to two senior alliance diplomats, who were granted anonymity to speak freely about the sensitive matter.