Pentagon announces withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany over next 12 months

The Pentagon has confirmed plans to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months, a move confirmed by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth following a review of theatre requirements. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the decision recognised current conditions on the ground, though the announcement has triggered a sharp reaction from Washington's own congressional leadership.

Two senior US Republican lawmakers, chairs of the House and Senate armed services committees, have publicly criticised the withdrawal, arguing it undermines deterrence against Russia and sends the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin. Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers suggested that rather than withdrawing the forces, the troops should be relocated further east to maintain a strong deterrent in Europe. Their joint statement warned that prematurely reducing America's forward presence before European allies have fully realised their defence capabilities risks destabilising the region.

President Donald Trump indicated that further cuts could occur in Italy and Spain, prompting broader concerns within the Nato alliance about the transatlantic security partnership. While the US currently maintains more than 36,000 active duty troops in Germany, representing its largest deployment in Europe, Trump suggested on Saturday that reductions would go significantly beyond the initial 5,000 figure. This potential shift in strategy comes as Washington previously reduced its troop presence in Romania last year as part of a plan to focus military commitment on the Indo-Pacific region.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the Pentagon's decision as foreseeable but emphasised that the presence of American soldiers remains in the interest of both Germany and the US. Speaking to the DPA news agency, Pistorius stressed that the continued presence of US forces in Europe, particularly in Germany, is vital for shared security interests. However, the alliance is seeking clarification from Washington regarding the specifics of the withdrawal, with Nato spokesperson Allison Hart noting that the move underscores the need for Europe to continue investing more in defence.

The announcement follows escalating tensions between the US and Germany, highlighted by comments from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who claimed the US had no strategy and that the nation was being humiliated by Iranian negotiators. In response, Trump accused Merz of supporting Iran's nuclear ambitions, a dispute that preceded the troop withdrawal announcement. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that the disintegration of the Nato alliance poses a greater threat to the transatlantic community than external enemies, urging members to reverse what he described as a disastrous trend.

Despite the criticism, the Pentagon maintains the withdrawal is grounded in a thorough review of requirements. However, the senior Democrat on the House armed services committee, Adam Smith, argued the decision was not grounded in any coherent national security policy but rather based on the hurt feelings of a president seeking political vengeance. As Germany projects its defence spending to reach 3.1 per cent of GDP by 2027, exceeding the Nato target, the alliance watches closely to see how this reduction impacts the balance of power in Europe.