US Troop Reductions on NATO's Eastern Flank: Romania Official Announcement

Tue Nov 11 2025 01:43:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Romanian Ministry of Defense has confirmed the US will reduce its troop presence on NATO's eastern flank, down from 1,700 to between 900 and 1,000. This change reflects shifting US military priorities amid growing concerns in Eastern Europe regarding Russian aggression.

The US plans to decrease its troop levels stationed in Romania, with numbers dropping from 1,700 to approximately 900-1,000. This decision, communicated by the Romanian defense ministry, aligns with the US's strategic focus towards the Indo-Pacific region and emphasizes the need for European allies to enhance their defense capabilities. Despite concerns regarding these changes, the Pentagon reassures that the commitment to NATO remains strong. The announcement follows heightened tensions in Eastern Europe, particularly with recent incursions by Russian drones into allied airspace.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense has confirmed the US intends to reduce some of its troops stationed on NATO's eastern flank. Between 900 and 1,000 American troops will remain in Romania, down from the current figure of 1,700. This decision is part of the ongoing reassessment of US military commitments under the Trump administration's new priorities.

The Pentagon emphasized that this reduction does not signal a withdrawal from Europe or a diminished commitment to NATO and Article 5, which guarantees mutual defense among member countries. Article 5 is seen as a key deterrent against potential Russian aggression.

Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu noted that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has stressed the importance of European nations enhancing their own defense efforts, reflecting a US strategic shift towards the Indo-Pacific region.

Specifically, a US brigade stationed at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase is set to be rotated out, with no immediate plans to replace it. This brigade has operational elements in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary, but it remains unclear if reductions will extend to those countries as well.

The Polish Defense Minister mentioned that Warsaw had not received any notifications regarding the reduction of US troops in Poland. However, the presence of US personnel at Romania's Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases is expected to stay the same.

Since taking office, President Trump has been vocal about shifting the focus of US military engagement away from Europe, urging NATO allies to take greater responsibility for their defense. The announcement of troop reductions in Romania raises concerns among Eastern European nations wary of potential Russian aggression.

A NATO official reassured that the commitment of the US to the NATO alliance remains robust and that troop adjustments are typical in military operations. The official highlighted that even with the troop changes, the US forces in Europe are still larger than in previous years and maintain a significant capacity to respond to any threats.

Currently, there are over 100,000 US military personnel deployed across Europe, continuing to support NATO's collective defense initiatives. Additionally, NATO has initiated the Eastern Sentry mission to bolster vigilance along its eastern borders following increased incidents of Russian military activities in the region.