US President Donald Trump has played down a significant troop withdrawal from Romania, estimated to ax 800 soldiers from rotating roles from NATO bases.
Asked about the drawdown, the US president said the planned reduction in the presence of US troops in Romania is “not very important.”
He was responding to journalists aboard Air Force One about the move announced on Wednesday by the Pentagon and the Romanian Ministry of Defense.
Asked aboard Air Force One about the partial withdrawal of American troops from Romania, he said: “You’d have to ask… I mean, I could tell you, but it’s not very important, it’s not a big deal,” the U.S. president replied.
The United States announced on Wednesday a reduction of its military presence in Europe and on Europe’s eastern flank, primarily at the Mihail Kogălniceanu base in Romania on the Black Sea, even as the conflict in Ukraine continues to rage on its borders.
Romania and its Allies were informed of the United States’ decision to resize American troops in Europe, and have voiced concern.
Romania’s Defense Ministry said the decision also concerns forces stationed at the Mihail Kogălniceanu base but around 1,000 American soldiers will remain deployed in Romania.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the reduction of its presence in Europe but emphasized that it does not represent a U.S. withdrawal from Europe, nor a signal of diminished commitment to NATO or Article 5.
