The United States is planning to reduce its military presence on NATO’s eastern flank in Romania, as confirmed by Romanian officials. Approximately 800-900 American troops will be withdrawn from the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, decreasing the total U.S. force in Romania from 1,700 to about 900-1,000 personnel. This decision involves rotating out one U.S. brigade without replacement, although troops at other Romanian bases, such as Deveselu and Câmpia Turzii, will remain unaffected. The Pentagon has emphasized that this move does not signal a diminished commitment to NATO or its collective defense principle under Article 5, which guarantees mutual protection among allies against aggression, particularly from Russia.
The troop reduction aligns with the Trump administration’s strategic pivot toward the Indo-Pacific region and its persistent calls for European NATO members to assume greater responsibility for their own defense. Romanian Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteneanu highlighted that U.S. officials have communicated this shift in priorities to European allies, urging increased investment in continental security. The brigade in question also has elements stationed in Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Hungary, though it remains unclear if similar withdrawals will occur in those countries. Poland, another key eastern flank nation, has stated it has received no information about potential U.S. troop reductions on its territory, indicating the changes may be specific to certain locations.
Despite the drawdown, both NATO and U.S. officials have reassured allies that Washington’s commitment to European security remains robust. A NATO official noted that even after this adjustment, the U.S. military presence in Europe is significantly larger than in previous years, with over 100,000 personnel deployed across the continent. The Pentagon reiterated its „robust presence” and capability to defend NATO allies, underscoring that such force posture changes are routine. This reassurance comes amid heightened concerns in Eastern Europe following recent airspace violations by Russian drones and aircraft in Poland, Romania, and Estonia, which prompted NATO to launch the „Eastern Sentry” mission to bolster vigilance along the eastern flank.
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