US denies plan to pull up to 40,000 troops from Europe
US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker denied reports that Washington plans to withdraw up to 40,000 troops from Europe.
Update ·
Updated with new reports from our sources.
US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker denied on Wednesday that Washington is preparing to withdraw between 25,000 and 40,000 troops from Europe, calling earlier reports "false". He was speaking at a defence conference organised by Euronews in Brussels, AFP reported.
NBC News had reported in mid-September, citing unnamed US officials, that Washington intended to withdraw up to 40,000 troops from the continent. Whitaker said no such plan has been presented to date and that the Pentagon's review of its posture has not yet been finished, AFP and Agerpres reported.
The United States launched a review of its military presence in Europe at the end of July, due to be completed by the end of the year. Pentagon deputy secretary Elbridge Colby said at the time the review was meant to ensure NATO moves quickly and irreversibly toward European states taking primary responsibility for their own conventional defence.
Several European governments are concerned that a sharp reduction in US troop numbers could weaken NATO's ability to deter Russia, according to AFP. Whitaker said the US has repeated constantly that it remains committed to Europe.
The review also covers how US forces use European bases, Whitaker said. Washington has criticised European countries that refused American forces access to NATO bases on their territory during the war against Iran, and is examining the strategic value of its global base posture.
The US has already begun adjusting its presence in Europe, with troop reductions announced in Germany. Washington said in early June it also wants to reduce its contribution to NATO's "force model", which sets out what military resources the alliance can count on from its 32 member states.
What we know
- US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker denied reports that the US plans to withdraw 25,000 to 40,000 troops from Europe, calling them "false".
- NBC News had reported in mid-September, citing unnamed officials, that Washington intended to withdraw up to 40,000 troops.
- Whitaker said no withdrawal plan has been presented and the Pentagon's review is not yet finished.
- The US launched a review of its European military presence in July, due to conclude by the end of the year.
- The review also covers US forces' access to European bases, following criticism of countries that denied access during the war against Iran.
- The US has already announced troop reductions in Germany.
Why it matters for Europe
European governments are worried that a reduction of tens of thousands of US troops would weaken NATO's ability to deter Russia, according to AFP. Germany has already seen troop cuts announced as part of the wider US review, which is also examining whether American forces should keep using NATO bases that some European countries denied them access to during the war against Iran.
The review, launched at the end of July, follows years of pressure from Washington for European allies to take on a bigger share of their own conventional defence, a shift Pentagon deputy secretary Elbridge Colby said was meant to make NATO move quickly and irreversibly in that direction. Washington has also said it wants to reduce its contribution to NATO's force model, which sets out what military resources the alliance can count on from each of its 32 members.
Live updates
·
Updated with new reports from our sources.
First published.
Sources
Reported by 4 reports from 4 independent outlets in 1 countries.
- HotNews: Anunțul ambasadorului american la NATO despre reducerile masive de trupe din Europa. „Am repetat constant”
- Digi24: SUA dezmint că pregătesc retragerea a zeci de mii de militari din Europa: „Aceste informații sunt false”
- Știripesurse: SUA resping scenariul unei retrageri masive de trupe din Europa. Ce planuri are Pentagonul
- Adevărul: SUA dezmint că vor retrage 40.000 de militari din Europa. Ce spune ambasadorul american la NATO despre planul Pentagonului
Intelligence file
PremiumSee how we verified this story
Confidence and impact scores, the full situation report and the event timeline.
Launch offer: free for members until 31 October 2026
Questions and answers
- Did the US deny plans to withdraw troops from Europe?
- Yes. US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker called reports of a withdrawal of 25,000 to 40,000 troops "false".
- Where did the withdrawal reports come from?
- NBC News reported in mid-September, citing unnamed US officials, that Washington intended to withdraw up to 40,000 troops from Europe.
- What is the Pentagon reviewing?
- A review of the US military presence in Europe launched in July, covering troop numbers and the use of European bases, due to finish by the end of the year.
This article was written with AI assistance from 4 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.