NATO on Wednesday sought to ease growing unease among member states after reports emerged that the United States planned to reduce its troop presence along the alliance’s eastern flank. The organization described the expected American redeployment as a mere “adjustment” rather than a strategic withdrawal, stressing that the move was not unusual and would not undermine transatlantic security commitments.

A NATO official confirmed that the alliance had been briefed in advance about Washington’s decision and that U.S. forces would continue to maintain a strong footprint across Europe. “Even with this adjustment, the U.S. force posture in Europe remains larger than it has been for many years, with many more U.S. forces on the continent than before 2022,” the official told AFP, underscoring that the United States remains the largest contributor to NATO’s defense structure.

The troop reduction, which has not yet been formally announced by Washington, follows a broader review of U.S. global military deployments. Romanian defense officials revealed that the changes could involve halting the rotation of a U.S. brigade currently spread across Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary. This development has sparked concern among frontline NATO members, many of whom view a sustained American military presence as a key deterrent against Russian aggression.

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Fears have intensified across Eastern Europe that Moscow could seek to strike a NATO member in the coming years, especially if the ongoing conflict in Ukraine loses momentum. Against this backdrop, any adjustment to U.S. deployments has become politically sensitive, with allies anxious about gaps in deterrence and the potential impact on strategic stability.

Seeking to calm tensions, NATO reiterated its unity and readiness to defend all member nations. “The U.S. commitment to NATO is clear,” the official reiterated. “NATO has robust defense plans in place and continues to ensure that we have the right forces and capabilities to deter potential aggression and provide for our collective defense.” Despite speculation over troop reductions, the alliance emphasized that collective security remains its top priority as it continues to adapt to an evolving European security environment.

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