The United States confirmed on Friday the cancellation of the deployment of 4,000 American soldiers in Poland, as part of a broader reorganization of their military presence in Europe. This decision comes a few days after the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops stationed in Germany, a move that is expected to be completed in the next six to twelve months, according to the spokesman for the U.S. Department of Defense Sean Parnell.
During a parliamentary hearing in Washington, General Christopher LaNeve, interim Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, explained that the European Command had received instructions regarding the reduction of personnel. He added that he had worked “closely with him” and considered that “it appeared logical to us that this brigade should not ultimately be deployed,” referring to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
Trump’s criticism of the Europeans
This military reorganization comes as Donald Trump recently stated that the reduction of American troops in Europe would go “well beyond 5,000 soldiers.” The U.S. president reproaches European allies for their lack of support in the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran, and believes that Europe should take more responsibility for its own defense. These tensions particularly concern the issue of the Strait of Hormuz and also oppose Washington to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
In Poland, Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on Friday that the cancellation of the deployment could be linked to the transfer of troops from Germany. “If another brigade other than planned comes to Poland, maybe the one from Germany, and if 5,000 soldiers leave Germany for Poland […] there is no change in security guarantees,” he said. A NATO official also indicated that the United States is “working to adjust their posture in Europe.”
