US to Gradually Withdraw Troops from Europe, NATO Commander Says

NATO's top commander announced Tuesday that the United States will gradually withdraw additional troops from Europe over several years, with the process designed to align with European allies strengthening their own defense capabilities. U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, serving as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, made the statement following President Donald Trump's decision to pull approximately 5,000 troops from Germany and cancel the planned deployment of long-range Tomahawk missiles. The general said the decision would not affect the alliance's ability to execute its defense plans, emphasizing that the withdrawal would be "well-synchronized" with allied efforts. European officials expressed surprise at the timing of the announcement, particularly because it appeared connected to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of U.S. strategy in its conflict with Iran. While European governments have responded to Trump's demands by increasing defense spending, with NATO members agreeing last June to raise military budgets to 5 percent of gross domestic product, many fear that a rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces and weapons could leave the continent vulnerable to potential military threats from Russia, despite Moscow's denials of any aggressive intentions. Grynkewich indicated that the current 5,000-troop withdrawal from Germany represents the only major reduction planned in the near term, appearing to contradict earlier suggestions from Trump that Washington would reduce its military presence in Germany "a lot further." The general noted that the United States currently maintains roughly 80,000 troops across Europe and will continue providing critical capabilities that European forces cannot yet independently supply, including command and control systems, satellite-based intelligence, strategic bombers, and the U.S. nuclear umbrella. The broader U.S. strategy aims to have Europe assume greater conventional defense responsibilities while maintaining American backing in specialized areas.