The United States must maintain the current military presence, said the commander in Europe
The senior US general in Europe said on Tuesday that the United States should maintain its military presence on the continent, as it is now, while the Pentagon reviews its global presence with President Donald Trump.
The US Army had more than 100,000 troops in Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but US Land Forces general Christopher Kavoli said their number was reduced to 80,000.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Haget told his European counterparts that they should not accept that the presence of the United States will continue forever, Reuters recalls.
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« My advice is to keep this position as it is now, » Kavoli told Congressmen during a hearing at the Armed Forces Committee of the House of Representatives.
Kavoli said the military periodically reviewed their troops in Europe since 2022, when Washington sent thousands of soldiers to the continent, but recommended that they would not be reduced now. « I constantly recommended that we maintain the forces we moved forward during this period and I would continue to do so if I was asked, » he added.
The European faith in the United States as the supreme defender of the continent against any attacks from Russia was seriously shaken by Trump’s experience of rapprochement with Moscow and severe pressure on Kiev as he seeks to end the war.
Potential changes in the US military presence in Europe come against the backdrop of fears about the future of NATO, the Transatlantic Union, which has been the basis of European security over the last 75 years.
Asked if there were any plans to move forces from the Eastern NATO flank, Kavoli said that troops were often moved, but added: « The main places where we have the strength right now are the same (as before) and I plan to hold them there. »
During the hearing, both Republicans and Democrats said it would be a mistake to withdraw troops from Europe.
Catherine Thompson, who fulfills the duties of Assistant Defense Minister on International Security, told lawmakers that the global review continues and would be based on « Trump’s stated interests ».
Thompson said the Pentagon is not considering having a non -American officer as a supreme NATO commander in Europe (Saceur), a position that has so far been occupied only by an American. « If the question is whether we are considering such a change, my final answer is » no, « Thompson said.
In the US, they are considering abandoning NATO command in favor of a European or Canadian
But in the end, what will happen to the US forces in Europe will be a decision made by Hegset and Trump.
The US military said on Monday that parts and equipment would be moved from Yasionka, to the southeast of Poland, which is the center with an airport near Zheshuv, through which military assistance is delivered to Ukraine. The troops will be moved to other parts of Poland.
« After three years in Yasionka, this is an opportunity to determine the right amount of our presence and to save tens of millions of dollars a year to US taxpayers, » General Christopher Donahw, Commander -in -Chief of the US Army in Europe and Africa, said in a statement.
