Overview

• The Pentagon is considering a proposal to withdraw up to 10,000 troops from Eastern Europe, nearly half of the forces deployed following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command, and key Republican lawmakers have strongly advised maintaining current troop levels to uphold NATO deterrence.
• Bipartisan members of Congress stress that reducing U.S. forces could embolden Russian aggression and undermine NATO's credibility.
• The proposed reduction is part of a broader U.S. defense strategy shift prioritizing the Indo-Pacific region over Europe.
• European nations are exploring independent defense strategies, including potential nuclear capabilities, as concerns grow over U.S. retrenchment.