US sending 5,000 troops to Poland as it draws down forces in Germany

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The announcement came after a planned training exercise was put on hold, alarming officials in Poland and angering members of Congress.

Soldiers of the U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Stryker Brigade participate in NATO military exercises on May 6 near Bemowo Piskie, Poland. | Sean Gallup/Getty Images

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the U.S. would deploy an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, an apparent reversal of his moves to reduce the presence of American forces in Europe to punish NATO for a lack of support with the Iran war.

Trump made the troop announcement in a social media post with few details, suggesting it was connected to the election last year of nationalist President Karol Nawrocki. The announcement came shortly after his administration abruptly canceled a large training exercise in Poland — later saying it had only been delayed — and said it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.