US Troop Reductions Confirmed on NATO's Eastern Flank: Romania Reports

Thu Oct 30 2025 04:36:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Romania's defense ministry announces that the US will reduce its troop presence on NATO's eastern flank, marking a significant shift in military strategy in light of evolving geopolitical priorities.

Romania has confirmed that the US plans to cut its troop strength in the country from 1,700 to between 900 and 1,000. This change, according to Romanian defense officials, is part of a broader strategy shift by the Trump administration towards the Indo-Pacific region. While some military installations will see reductions, the US maintains a larger presence in Europe compared to previous years, raising concerns among Eastern European nations about their security amidst Russian aggression.

Romania's defence ministry has stated that the US intends to reduce the number of troops stationed on NATO's eastern flank. The troop levels are set to decrease from 1,700 to between 900 and 1,000 American soldiers remaining in Romania.

This decision, anticipated by the Romanian government, is attributed to a shift in military priorities under the Trump administration, as articulated by Romania's Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu. He mentioned that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had stressed the need for European nations to take greater responsibility for their own defense, while the US pivots its focus to the Indo-Pacific region.

Moreover, a US brigade stationed at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase, which is expected to become NATO's largest airbase in Europe, will be rotated out without immediate replacements. Mosteanu also noted that while elements of this brigade are located in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary, it remains unclear if there will be troop reductions in those countries.

Poland’s Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has indicated that there is no information regarding any potential US troop reductions on Polish soil.

The presence of US troops at Romania's Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases is expected to remain unchanged. This troop reduction comes despite Romania's concerns about the potential threat from Russia, especially in light of recent incidents involving Russian drones entering Polish and Romanian airspace.

NATO representatives have reiterated that the US commitment to the alliance remains robust, stating that even with these adjustments, the US force posture in Europe remains more substantial than in recent years.

There are now over 100,000 US military personnel stationed in Europe, as reported at the end of last year. In response to ongoing tensions, NATO has also announced the formation of a mission, Eastern Sentry, aimed at bolstering the alliance's vigilance along its eastern borders.