The United States Department of Defense has said it will cut the number of brigades stationed in Europe from four to three, effectively returning its troop presence on the continent to pre-2022 levels.
A spokesperson for the Pentagon, the department's headquarters in Washington, described the shift as "the result of a comprehensive, multilayered process focused on US force posture in Europe".
The reduction, which was announced on Tuesday, brings US soldiers stationed in Europe back to 2021 levels, after surges that followed the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
A US Army Brigade Combat Team typically comprises 4,000 to 4,700 soldiers, according to a congressional report.
The move aligns with US President Donald Trump's push for European allies to shoulder more of their defense, even as critics warn it could weaken NATO's deterrence against Russia.
