NATO is preparing a phased withdrawal of US troops from Europe over several years.

NATO indicated on Tuesday that the reduction of the US military presence in Europe would be gradual over several years, in order to allow European allies time to strengthen their own defense capabilities.

General Alexus Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, was speaking after the president's administration's announcement Donald Trump the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 American troops stationed in Germany and the cancellation of the deployment of long-range Tomahawk missiles.

According to Grynkewich, this decision does not call into question the Atlantic Alliance's short-term defense plans. He did, however, acknowledge that further reductions in American personnel in Europe were planned as European countries strengthened their own armed forces.

European officials were surprised by the timing of the announcement, as well as by the fact that some American officials linked the decision to criticisms made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding American strategy in the Iran war.

Currently, approximately 80,000 American troops are deployed in Europe. European governments claim to have heard Donald Trump's repeated demands for increased military spending and greater strategic autonomy for the continent.

However, several European capitals fear that a too rapid withdrawal of American forces could weaken the continent's security in the face of Russia, despite Moscow's denials of any intention to attack NATO member countries.

General Grynkewich emphasized that the United States would retain certain military capabilities deemed essential until its European allies were able to provide them themselves. He argued that strengthening NATO's "European pillar" would gradually allow Washington to reduce its permanent military presence on the continent.