NATO's Mark Rutte said US troop reductions in Europe will be structured and not harm defenses. The Trump administration has been aggressive and unclear about the drawdown but a US pivot has been in the works for years.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday sought to tamp down European fears over pending US troop withdrawals on the continent, saying that the downsizing of the US troop presence in Europe will not harm defensive readiness.
"When it comes to the announcement, the 4,000 to 5,000… it is rotational forces not having an impact on NATO's defense plans," the military alliance's leader told reporters.
Rutte's comments come after US President Donald Trump's most recent attack on the alliance, which was sparked by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of the US-Israeli war in Iran.
In response to the German leader's remarks, Trump said the US would immediately withdraw 5,000 US troops from the country — something that is practically impossible and would greatly decrease US power projection as these troops do not primarily protect Germany but rather are stationed as forward operating units ready for deployment mainly in Africa and the Middle East.
