The United States may withdraw up to 10,000 troops from Poland and Romania, which were stationed there following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NBC News reports citing six unnamed US and European officials.
Some 20,000 troops were stationed in the two countries under Joe Biden’s administration, with the total numbers to be withdrawn still under discussion, NBC reported on Tuesday.
“If the Pentagon adopts the proposal, it will reinforce fears that the United States is abandoning its longtime allies in Europe who view Russia as a growing threat,” European officials told NBC.
This would then increase the willingness of the Russians “to meddle in various ways across the spectrum in Europe,” according to Seth Jones, a senior vice president with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank.
The report does not mention the Baltic states. The US has around 1,000 troops stationed in Lithuania on a rotational basis, with additional units deploying to Estonia and Latvia on a routine basis for military drills.
The proposed withdrawal from Eastern Europe is part of Washington's plan to pivot to confront China, leaving the security of Europe up to the EU states, NBC said.
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