The Pentagon believes that plans to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany are a consequence of the reluctance of the US's European allies to take a leadership role in the North Atlantic Alliance. This was reported by The Washington Post, citing a senior US Defense Department official.
He called German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of the US military operation against Iran “inappropriate and useless“. He said that the reduction of US troops is consistent with the administration's intention to shift its focus from Europe to the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific region.
“We called on them to take a practical, business-like approach to building a European-led NATO. "They didn't follow our advice, and this is the result," the Pentagon official said. According to him, the decision to reduce troops will affect a US Army combat brigade stationed in Germany, a long-range artillery battalion that is due to arrive there this year, and potentially other troops.
Earlier, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Sean Parnell announced that Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth had ordered the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany. He said the withdrawal is expected to be completed within the next six to 12 months.
As announced by US President Donald Trump on April 29, the US is considering reducing its military contingent stationed in Germany and will make a decision soon. Answering questions from journalists on April 30, the White House resident suggested that the US could reduce the number of troops not only in Germany, but also in Italy and Spain.
The American leader did not specify why the administration might take such a step, but the statement came after Merz criticized Washington's military campaign against Iran, citing the lack of a clear US strategy. On Tuesday, Trump accused Merz of allegedly “considering it acceptable for Iran to have nuclear weapons“.