Last week, the U.S. administration decided to withdraw from Germany 5,000 troops stationed at various bases within the framework of NATO structures and bilateral U.S.-German agreements. The withdrawal is expected to take place over a period of 6-12 months, and, as the U.S. president has said, this number could be increased.
The Trump administration’s decision raises the question of how further reductions in U.S. forces in Europe will affect the region’s defense, especially on NATO’s eastern flank.
Navrotsky: We are ready to receive U.S. troops
Polish President Karol Nawrocki met with his Lithuanian counterpart Gitanas Nauseda on Wednesday during joint military exercises between Poland, Lithuania, Portugal and the United States. Asked whether Trump’s decision would affect the number of troops on the eastern flank, he emphasized that even if part of the contingent is withdrawn from Germany, U.S. forces should remain in Europe.
“If Donald Trump decides to reduce U.S. troops in Germany, we in Poland are ready to receive them, – Euronews quoted Nawrocki as saying. – We have a ready infrastructure, and it is in the interests of Poland and the Baltic states.”
The position of the Polish president was also supported by the Lithuanian president.
“For my part, I declare that we are ready to receive such units and are already building up the infrastructure to accommodate as many military personnel as possible,” Nauseda said.
