Media continue to report on U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans to reduce American military presence in Europe.
According to AFP, NATO expects the withdrawal of 20,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, who were sent to Europe by President Joe Biden in response to the war in Ukraine.
Politico reports that documents have emerged indicating U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin instructed Pentagon agencies to cut their budgets by 8%, which equates to $50 billion. This may require reducing U.S. military forces in both Europe and the Middle East.
Currently, approximately 100,000 American soldiers are stationed in Europe, with 65,000 on a permanent basis and the rest rotating.