Washington: Two senior Republican lawmakers criticised the Pentagon’s plan to withdraw US troops from Germany, warning that removing 5,000 personnel could weaken deterrence and send the wrong signal to Russia.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said the US should move its troops further east in Europe rather than withdraw them.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Friday the move followed a review of force posture, theatre requirements and conditions on the ground. He said the U.S. expected to complete the withdrawal within six to 12 months.
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States could cut “a lot further” than 5,000 troops, without giving details.
The United States has more than 36,000 active-duty troops in Germany, its largest military presence in Europe.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called the Pentagon decision “foreseeable” but said the presence of American soldiers in Europe and Germany remained in both countries’ interests.
NATO said it was seeking clarification from Washington. Spokeswoman Allison Hart said the decision underscored the need for Europe to invest more in defence and assume greater responsibility for shared security.
Read: US Troops Germany Review Ordered by Trump
The dispute followed comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said the United States lacked a clear strategy and Iran was humiliating it during ceasefire negotiations.
