Reported changes to United States troop deployments in Europe pose no threat to NATO’s eastern flank, while Ukraine’s ability to strike targets deep inside Russia is strengthening Kyiv’s position in the war, NATO International Military Staff Director General Remigijus Baltrėnas said on Friday.
“There is currently no risk to deterrence and defence on the eastern flank,” Baltrėnas told the public broadcaster LRT Radio.
The United States has recently been adjusting its military presence across Europe. According to Baltrėnas, European NATO members are responding by accelerating defence spending and military procurement.
“There is a balance to this withdrawal,” he said. “I will not hide the fact that there are challenges and they must be addressed; we are addressing them. But at this moment, I return to the same point: there is no risk to deterrence and defence on the eastern flank.”
The The Wall Street Journal reported that the US has halted the deployment of more than 4,000 troops to Poland as part of a planned rotation, with some personnel and equipment already en route to Europe. Earlier Pentagon plans have also included the withdrawal of around 5,000 troops from Germany.
