In brief
The US is set to reduce its troop presence in Romania from 1,700 to between 900 and 1,000 soldiers as part of a strategic shift towards the Indo-Pacific region. Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu indicated that this move reflects the changing priorities under the Trump administration. While a US brigade will be rotated out without replacement, US troops at certain bases will remain unchanged. This decision raises concerns among Eastern European nations regarding their defense amid ongoing regional tensions.
Romania's defense ministry has announced that the US intends to reduce some of its troops stationed on NATO's eastern flank.
According to Bucharest, the number of American troops will decrease to between 900 and 1,000, down from around 1,700.
The ministry described the decision as expected, attributing the resizing of US forces to the new priorities of the Trump presidential administration.
Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu conveyed that US counterpart Pete Hegseth has recently informed European allies that they need to enhance their own defense capabilities while the US shifts focus towards the Indo-Pacific region.
Notably, one US brigade stationed at the Mihai Koganliceanu airbase, which is expected to become NATO's largest in Europe, will be rotated out without a replacement, as detailed by Mosteanu.
The brigade comprises elements operating in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary, although it remains uncertain whether US troops will also be withdrawn from these nations.
Despite the potential troop reduction, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Warsaw has not received information indicating a reduction of US forces in Poland.
Mosteanu confirmed that the presence of US troops at Romania's Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases will remain unchanged.
Soon after the announcement, a NATO official reassured that Washington's commitment to the alliance remains strong and that such adjustments are not uncommon.
Despite the reduction, the US force posture in Europe continues to be larger than it has been in many years, with over 100,000 military personnel stationed across the continent.
Last month, NATO launched the Eastern Sentry mission to enhance vigilance along the eastern flank, prompted by an increase in Russian military activity, including drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace.
