Senior US military officials have officially confirmed that the US has abandoned the planned transfer of 4,000 troops to Poland. This was reported by the AFP agency.
During a congressional hearing, the chief of staff of the US Army, General Christopher LaNeve, said that the commander of the US European Command “has received instructions to reduce the number of troops.”
“I have consulted closely with him on what this combat unit will be, and… the most sensible decision was not to deploy this brigade in the theater of operations,” LaNeve said, speaking of the 2nd Armored Combat Brigade.
The general noted that some units of this brigade have already sent from the US, and its equipment was en route.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who testified with LaNeve, said the decision to cancel the planned deployment was made “a few days ago.”
In early May, the Pentagon announced that the US would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. Department spokesman Sean Parnell said at the time that the process was expected to “be completed within the next six to 12 months.”
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosyniak-Kamysz suggested on Friday that the cancellation of the troop transfer to Poland could be linked to the withdrawal of American forces from Germany.
“If a different brigade than the one originally planned is sent to Poland – perhaps the one from Germany – and 5,000 soldiers leave Germany and go to Poland … it will not change the security guarantees,” Kosyniak-Kamysz told reporters.
Donald Trump has threatened to cut American military contingent in Germany and other European allies.
A NATO representative told the agency on Friday that the Alliance is aware of the US work to adjust its presence in Europe.
“The focus on rotational forces will not affect NATO’s plans for deterrence and defense. And we are already seeing a strengthening of the presence of Canada and Germany on the eastern flank – all of this contributes to the overall strengthening of NATO,” the Alliance representative added.
The day before, several American media outlets reported that the Pentagon had unexpectedly canceled the deployment of an armored brigade in Poland.
Politico wrote that this decision by the US Secretary of Defense surprised Pentagon officials.
