Eastern European countries are ready to maintain American troops themselves, as long as Trump doesn't withdraw them
Eastern European NATO allies of the USA plan to offer Washington to take on a larger part of the costs for maintaining American military personnel on their territory. In this way, they hope to persuade Donald Trump's administration not to reduce the US military presence in the region.
As Bloomberg reports, countries on NATO's eastern flank want to demonstrate that they are ready not only to host as many American troops as possible, but also to significantly reduce the financial burden on the US. Details of this proposal are planned to be discussed on August 27 in Brussels at a meeting of alliance representatives with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby.
The initiative is related to the European allies' concern about a possible reduction in the American military presence. According to Bloomberg, countries on the eastern flank seek to maintain credible deterrence against Russia and consider the presence of American troops one of the key elements of regional security.
Between 80,000 and 100,000 American troops are currently in Europe — their number varies depending on rotations and exercises. More than a third of the American contingent is stationed in Germany. In Eastern European countries, the number is significantly smaller: from several hundred troops in the Baltic states to several thousand in Poland.
Previously, US authorities announced their intention to review their military presence in Europe. It is expected that Washington may reduce the number of military personnel and armaments in the region by December.
Against this backdrop, the Trump administration also sent NATO countries a questionnaire to assess how much they support the US president's foreign policy course.
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