---
title: "Washington Softens Stance: US May Cut Troops in Europe by Just 5,000 Instead of 25,000"
description: "The Trump administration is revising plans to cut US troops in Europe: instead of withdrawing up to 25,000 soldiers, a reduction of about 5,000 personnel is being considered."
date: 2026-11-14T20:06:38.649Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-revises-plans-to-cut-troops-in-europe
tags: [us-troops-europe, trump-administration, nato, pentagon, germany, iran-operation]
author: "Andrey Kosynko"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Washington Softens Stance: US May Cut Troops in Europe by Just 5,000 Instead of 25,000

![American soldier in camouflage and helmet against the backdrop of the US flag and military equipment](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/14/ssha-peresmatrivayut-plany-po-sokrascheniyu-voysk-v-evrope/ssha-peresmatrivayut-plany-po-sokrascheniyu-voysk-v-evrope-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Instead of the previously discussed withdrawal of up to 25,000 US troops from Europe, Washington is considering a reduction of about 5,000 personnel.
- The reason for the revision is the growth of NATO defense spending, the ongoing US-Israel operation against Iran, and the strategic role of European bases for Middle East operations.
- Cuts may primarily affect Germany, while US presence on NATO's eastern flank is planned to be reinforced; the final decision will be made by Trump after Colby's report and Hegseth's recommendations, expected by December 1.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is revising its approach to reducing the American military contingent in Europe. While Washington previously discussed a potential withdrawal of up to 25,000 service members—a plan that caused noticeable concern among European allies—sources familiar with the situation now indicate that a much more modest reduction of around 5,000 personnel is being considered. For context: approximately 80,000 US troops are currently deployed on the European continent, meaning even the initial proposal to withdraw a quarter of the force was perceived in Brussels and EU capitals as a signal of a potential restructuring of the entire American presence architecture.

### Why Plans Changed

According to the report, the revision of the reduction's scale is driven by several factors at once. First, European NATO countries are consistently increasing defense spending, which eases the burden on the US budget and weakens arguments in favor of a sharp troop withdrawal. Second, the US, alongside Israel, continues its military operation against Iran, and the Pentagon has taken into account the strategic role of American bases in Europe as a staging ground for actions in the Middle East. Specifically, Washington is using European allies' infrastructure and airspace to strike Iranian targets, making a massive reduction of the contingent in Europe impractical from the perspective of ongoing operations.

### Where Cuts Will Hit and Where Reinforcements Are Planned

The most tangible consequences of the reduction are expected to affect Germany—precisely where the largest number of American service members among European nations is stationed. At the same time, the alliance's eastern flank is slated for a military reinforcement. States bordering Russia are ready to help finance the costs of hosting American troops on their territory, effectively turning the eastern flank into a zone where allies themselves have an interest in preserving and expanding the US footprint.

### How the Decision Will Be Made

The final decision regarding the troop presence in Europe will be made by Donald Trump. Prior to that, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby is scheduled to present a relevant report to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. The defense secretary is expected to submit final recommendations on the future of the US contingent in Europe to the president by December 1. Thus, through late November and early December, the issue formally remains open, and any statements regarding specific figures are currently of a working nature.

### Positions from the Pentagon to London

US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker, commenting on the prospects, stated: "We have a lot of assets and forces here that are right where we want them. I don't anticipate anything major." Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth previously emphasized that European nations must independently bear the primary responsibility for their own defense: "America cannot care for Europe's defense or pay for it more than our allies. Europe can and must take primary responsibility for its own conventional defense." UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, in turn, pointed out that the US administration evaluates the advisability of its presence in Europe primarily from the perspective of its own interests: "While it is sometimes argued that the US is in Europe for the sake of Europe, the harsh reality is that the US is in Europe because it benefits the United States itself."

In a broader context, these decisions fit into Washington's diplomatic trajectory: it was previously reported that Russia is expected to offer a new proposal for a European security agreement, and that the US wants European states at the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine. The softening of troop reduction plans in Europe can thus be seen as part of a more flexible posture by the Trump administration, which retains military leverage in the region while simultaneously shifting financial and defense burdens onto allies.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [США резко меняют планы по сокращению своих войск в Европе, - Bloomberg](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-rizko-zminyuyut-plani-shchodo-skorochennya-1794683724.html) - Primary source: Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter. Confirms the shift from a 25k to a ~5k scenario, total contingent of ~80k, revision factors, the role of Germany and the eastern flank, report deadlines (Dec 1), and quotes from Whitaker, Hegseth, and Streeting. Caveat: sources are anonymous, decision not finalized.

## FAQ

### How many US troops are currently in Europe?

According to the report, approximately 80,000 US service members are stationed on the European continent.

### How much does the US plan to reduce the contingent?

While a withdrawal of up to 25,000 personnel was previously discussed, sources now indicate a reduction of about 5,000 personnel is under consideration.

### When will the final decision be made?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to submit final recommendations to President Donald Trump on December 1, following a report by Deputy Minister Elbridge Colby. The final decision will be made by Trump.