US Reduces Troops in Romania Amid Shift in Military Focus

Romania's defense ministry has stated that 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, Bucharest said - down from 1,700.

The ministry indicated that the decision was expected and that the resizing of US forces was a result of the new priorities of the Trump presidential administration.

Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu noted that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had indicated to European allies that they need to bolster their own defense efforts as the US redirects attention towards the Indo-Pacific.

According to Mosteanu, one US brigade at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase — set to be NATO's largest in Europe — will be rotated out and not replaced.

While details about troop reductions in other neighboring countries like Bulgaria and Hungary remain unclear, Polish officials claim they have no updates regarding troop cuts.

As it stands, the presence of US troops at the Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases in Romania will not change, as stated by Mosteanu.

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has emphasized a desire to shift military focus from Europe to the Pacific, urging European NATO members to take greater responsibility for their own defenses.

The withdrawal of US forces from Romania may heighten concerns among Eastern European countries, who fear potential aggression from Russia.

Following the announcement, a NATO official reassured that Washington's commitment to the NATO alliance remains strong and adjustments are commonplace.

Even with this adjustment, the US force posture in Europe remains larger than it has been for many years, with many more US forces on the continent than before 2022, the official stated.

Currently, the US maintains over 100,000 military personnel deployed in Europe.

Last month, NATO announced the establishment of a mission called Eastern Sentry, enhancing the alliance's alertness along the eastern flank, especially in light of a recent uptick in Russian drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace.