The United States has confirmed on Friday the cancellation of the deployment of 4,000 American soldiers in Poland, as part of a broader reorganization of their military presence in Europe. This decision comes a few days after the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops stationed in Germany, a move that is expected to be completed in the “next six to twelve months,” according to Sean Parnell, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense.
During a parliamentary hearing in Washington, General Christopher LaNeve, interim Chief of Staff of the Army, explained that the European Command chief “had received instructions regarding the reduction of personnel.” He added that they had worked “closely together” and believed that “it appeared logical that this brigade would not be deployed”, referring to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
Trump’s criticisms of Europeans
This military reorganization comes as Donald Trump recently stated that the reduction of American personnel in Europe would go “well beyond 5,000 men.” The U.S. president reproaches European allies for their lack of support in the war led by the United States and Israel against Iran, and believes that Europe should take more responsibility for its own defense. These tensions include the question of the Strait of Hormuz and also pit Washington against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
In Poland, Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on Friday that the cancellation of the deployment could be linked to the transfer of troops from Germany. “If a different brigade than planned comes to Poland, perhaps from Germany, and 5,000 soldiers leave Germany for Poland […], there is no change in security guarantees,” he affirmed. A NATO official also indicated that the United States is “working to adjust their posture in Europe.”
