- NATO envoy Matthew Whitaker denied reports the US plans to withdraw up to 40,000 troops from Europe, calling the reports wrong.
- Washington is conducting a formal review of its European military presence and base use, but says the United States will stay engaged.
- The United States already has about 80,000 troops in Europe and announced a 5,000 troop withdrawal from Germany in May.
The United States is not planning to withdraw up to 40,000 troops in Europe, Washington’s envoy to NATO said on Wednesday, denying recent reports.
US broadcaster NBC reported in mid-September that Washington was weighing cuts of 25,000 or more of its forces from Europe, citing anonymous US officials.
“Those reports are wrong,” US ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said during a defense conference organized by broadcaster Euronews.
“The plan hasn’t even been finalized by the folks at the Secretary of War’s policy shop,” he added.
The US administration launched a formal review of its military presence in Europe this summer, raising fears among allies that it could cut back its forces in European nations.
Whitaker said the United States would “stay engaged in Europe.”
The review is also looking at how US forces use military bases.
Washington has previously criticized European countries for not allowing the United States to use NATO bases on their territory during the war against Iran.
“We’re just doing a very kind of mathematical, mechanical analysis of how we’re laid down globally because we have to address global challenges,” Whitaker said.
Washington has already taken steps to change its presence in Europe where it has around 80,000 troops. The United States announced it would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in May.
