Kallas: US troop withdrawal ‘comes as a surprise’
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas expressed surprise at the U.S. decision to withdraw around 5,000 troops from Germany, calling the timing unexpected despite longstanding talks about troop reductions in Europe.
- Kallas emphasized the move as a wake-up call for Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities and reduce reliance on American forces within NATO.
- U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed plans to cut troop numbers in Germany even further, signaling a significant shift in U.S. military presence in Europe.
- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius minimized the immediate operational impact of the U.S. troop withdrawal on Germany’s defense posture.
- The decision occurs amid strained relations between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, though Kallas refrained from speculating on whether the withdrawal was intended as a political punishment.
