US Troop Reductions Raise Concerns on NATO’s Eastern Flank

Thu Oct 30 2025 17:03:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Romania confirms that the US will reduce its military presence in eastern NATO, causing apprehension among Eastern European nations about potential threats from Russia.

The Romanian defense ministry announced the US's decision to reduce troop levels stationed in Romania from 1,700 to between 900 and 1,000 as part of a shift in military focus towards the Indo-Pacific region. Despite these cutbacks, the Pentagon insists this is not a withdrawal from Europe and that NATO's collective defense strategy remains intact. However, Eastern European countries are expressing concerns about their security amid these changes.

Romania's defense ministry has said the US intends to reduce some of its troops stationed on NATO's eastern flank.

Between 900 and 1,000 American troops will remain in Romania, Bucharest said - down from 1,700.

The ministry said the decision was expected and that the resizing of US forces was a result of the new priorities of the Trump presidential administration.

The Pentagon stated that the decision did not constitute a withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to NATO and Article 5.

Article 5 holds that NATO members will come to the defense of an ally that comes under attack and has long been seen as the main deterrent against potential Russian aggression.

Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu stated that his US counterpart Pete Hegseth had recently conveyed to the Europeans that they needed to pay more attention to their own defense as the US shifts its attention to the Indo-Pacific region.

One US brigade at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase - set to be NATO's largest in Europe - will be rotated out and not replaced, Mosteanu explained.

The presence of US troops at Romania's Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases will remain unchanged.

Since January, US President Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire to shift military commitments from Europe to the Indo-Pacific, repeatedly urging European NATO members to take more responsibility for their defense.

Nevertheless, the announcement of troop reductions is concerning for Eastern European countries that fear potential Russian aggression.

A NATO official asserted that Washington's commitment to the NATO alliance remains strong, stating that adjustments in troop levels are not unusual.

Even with these changes, the US retains a larger force posture in Europe than it had before 2022.

The US has more than 100,000 military personnel deployed in Europe, according to recent figures.

Last month, NATO announced the creation of a mission called Eastern Sentry to enhance vigilance along the eastern flank, following incidents involving Russian drones entering Polish airspace.