The United States is planning to accelerate the reduction of its military presence in Europe, according to a report by German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, citing a senior Pentagon official. Concrete proposals could be presented to NATO allies within weeks.
The Pentagon is preparing plans detailing which military capabilities and troop deployments Washington intends to scale back, as part of a broader shift toward greater European responsibility for continental defense.
The proposals are expected at NATO's Force Sourcing Conference in June. The Pentagon official stated: "We want to provide our allies with the necessary information and clarity to advance the transition toward a European defense as quickly and effectively as possible."
This move aligns with President Donald Trump's calls for European NATO members to increase defense spending. Washington's strategic focus on China and the Indo-Pacific, along with military commitments related to Iran, reinforce the view that Europe should take primary responsibility for conventional deterrence against Russia.
