The United States has informed allies that it is pulling some U.S. troops from NATO’s eastern flank, including Romania, a decision that has infuriated the Republican chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services committees.
The Romanian defense ministry announced on Wednesday that the U.S. military will halt some rotations of brigades in NATO nations, including a Romanian air base that hosts more than 1,400 U.S. troops and the Army’s Garrison Black Sea.
“The decision was expected, as Romania is in permanent contact with its American strategic partner,” the Romanian government said in a statement. “The downsizing of the US forces is an effect of the new priorities of the presidential administration, announced in February. The decision also took into account the fact that NATO had strengthened its presence and activity on the Eastern Flank, which allows the United States to adjust its military posture in the region.”
About 1,000 U.S. soldiers will remain deployed in Romania to “contribute to the deterrence of any threats and will represent a guarantee of the US commitment to regional security.”
The move was rebuked by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the chair of the House Armed Services Committee, who said they “strongly oppose” the decision.
“We strongly oppose the decision not to maintain the rotational U.S. brigade in Romania and the Pentagon’s process for its ongoing force posture review that may result in further drawdowns of U.S. forces from Eastern Europe,” Wicker and Rogers said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
“On March 19, we stated that we will not accept significant changes to our warfighting structure that are made without a rigorous interagency process, coordination with combatant commanders and the Joint Staff, and collaboration with Congress,” they added.
“Unfortunately, this appears to be exactly what is being attempted. Two weeks ago, President Trump stated that the United States would not be withdrawing U.S. forces in Europe, but instead ‘may move some around a little bit,’” the Republican duo said. “The President is right that U.S. force posture in Europe needs to be updated as NATO shoulders additional burdens and the character of warfare changes. But that update must be coordinated widely both within the U.S. government and with NATO.”
U.S. European Command issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying the move “is not an American withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to NATO and Article 5.”
“Rather this is a positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility. Our NATO allies are meeting President Trump’s call to take primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe. This force posture adjustment will not change the security environment in Europe,” it said.
“The U.S. maintains a robust presence throughout the European Theater, and maintains the ability to array forces and capabilities to meet objectives in the Theater and support U.S. priorities, including President Trump’s commitment to defend NATO allies.”
