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Berlin has expressed concern over reports from the US media that the US contingent in Germany, which now has 34.5 thousand. soldiers must be separated by about a third.
Such a move would significantly reduce the United States’ contribution to European defense under the NATO treaties. Also, it seems completely unexpected for Berlin.
When asked about these plans, Stoltenberg declined to comment directly on “leaks or media speculation,” but noted that he was “in constant consultation” with Washington about the US military role in Europe.
Stoltenberg demonstrated his usual tactics of being pressured to respond to what he thought of the Trump administration’s ambiguous approach to NATO: He set out to craft Washington’s commitment to European security.
“The past few years have really seen an increase in the United States’ presence in Europe,” he said.
“It just caught our eye then. For example, we have seen a new US brigade deployed in Europe, we have seen increased turnout, we have seen the US take the lead in the NATO battle group in Poland.” Stoltenberg said.
Despite tensions in transatlantic policy, Stoltenberg argued that NATO allies “are doing much more together in Europe now than they have for many, many years.”
Stoltenberg spoke in an online question-and-answer session to encourage expert brainstorming on how to strengthen the Alliance once the coronavirus pandemic ends.
Stoltenberg later wrote on Twitter after speaking to Trump about “major security issues.”
A NATO official said the two had “discussed the United States’ military position in Europe, as they always do.” However, the source noted that the conversation was “long planned,” so it was not a response to recent events.
So far, there have been no official confirmations as to whether media reports of implicit plans to reduce the US contingent in Germany to 25,000. The soldiers are right.
However, Trump’s half-hearted approach to agreements with the Allies in Europe to cooperate in the defense field has long been a concern for the countries of the Old Continent.
The President had repeatedly condemned Germany, a European economic power, and accused him of underfunding his defense.
The number of US troops held in Germany since World War II is higher than in any other European country. This contingent was slightly reduced after the end of the Cold War, but Germany remains crucial to US military operations. USA And NATO.
American troops in Germany are not only deterring a growing Russia, but are also using bases there to coordinate military operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
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