--- title: "Pentagon Weighs Withdrawal of Up to 40,000 Troops from Europe: What Is Known About the Reduction Plan" description: "The Pentagon is studying the withdrawal of up to 40,000 soldiers from Europe — up to half of the contingent. In Congress and European capitals, this is causing concern over the weakening of deterrence against Russia." date: 2026-09-18T08:58:35.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-weighs-troop-reduction-in-europe tags: [us-troops-europe, pentagon, nato, russia, military-drawdown] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Pentagon Weighs Withdrawal of Up to 40,000 Troops from Europe: What Is Known About the Reduction Plan ![US soldiers in camouflage in a waiting hall with an American flag amid Pentagon talks of withdrawing troops from Europe](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/19/ssha-rassmatrivayut-sokraschenie-voysk-v-evrope/ssha-rassmatrivayut-sokraschenie-voysk-v-evrope-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The Pentagon is studying the withdrawal of 25,000 to 40,000 soldiers from Europe — from a third to half of the 80,000-strong contingent. - The reduction would primarily affect Germany, Italy, and Spain. - General Grynkewich's analysis was submitted to the Secretary of Defense on September 18; final recommendations are due on November 6, with no decisions made yet. The United States is considering a plan for a major reduction of its military presence in Europe, which could involve the withdrawal of tens of thousands of soldiers, as well as aircraft, ships, and weapons. According to seven current and former officials from the United States and Western countries, the Pentagon is studying the possibility of withdrawing about a third of the American contingent. In European capitals and among lawmakers of both parties, such plans are causing deep concern: they are feared as a step that would only embolden Russia and weaken deterrence against the aggressor. ### Scale of the Possible Reduction If the scenario is implemented, it would be the largest reduction of the 80,000-strong American force grouping in Europe since the end of the Cold War in the 1990s. The reduction would primarily affect Germany, Italy, and Spain, where the bulk of US forces are based. Notably, the leaders of these three countries have previously had disputes with US President Donald Trump over the war in Iran. ### Contradictory Data Sources differ in their assessment of the scale of the reduction. According to seven current and former officials, the Pentagon is studying the withdrawal of about a third of the contingent — around 25,000 personnel. At the same time, some sources indicate that the reduction could be more substantial, affecting up to half of the forces — up to 40,000 service members. The final figures have not been confirmed, as the decision has not yet been made and discussions are ongoing. ### Reaction in Europe and Congress The Pentagon's plan has already faced harsh criticism in the US Congress. As one representative of the Republican Party stated, reducing the troop strength by 25,000 is "unacceptable under any circumstances," and "detering Russia cheaply is impossible." European capitals share this concern, fearing a weakening of deterrence potential against the backdrop of the ongoing threat of Russian aggression. ### Timeline and Decision-Making Procedure The decision on the military presence is being made as part of a six-month review of forces in Europe, which the Pentagon announced in June. A senior Department of Defense official explained that the review is needed to "ensure that our posture makes sense in light of President Trump's 'America First' strategy." The Commander of US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, was to submit his analysis to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on September 18. The analysis outlines four possible courses of action — from reducing land, air, and naval forces to relocating some units to NATO's eastern flank. Hegseth will receive the final recommendations on November 6 and present them to the US President. So far, no final decisions have been made by officials. ### Context: Europe's Readiness for a Conflict Scenario Against the backdrop of these discussions, Germany is preparing for a scenario in which it would have to, together with other NATO countries, give a military response to Russia, and is currently assessing the state of its medical system. In addition, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urgently convened ministers with representatives of the government, the army, and the intelligence services after Russian strikes near the Polish border, warning that the coming months would be a period of intense Russian activity and that escalation could affect Polish territory. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [US Considering Troop Reduction in Europe Against the Backdrop of Russian Aggression Threat, Media Report](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ssha-rozglyadayut-skorochennya-viysk-evropi-1789721354.html) - Подтверждает факт рассмотрения Пентагоном сокращения присутствия в Европе и обеспокоенность в Европе/Конгрессе. - [US Could Withdraw Up to Half of Its Troops from Europe — NBC News](https://zn.ua/europe/ssha-mohut-vyvesti-iz-evropy-do-poloviny-svoikh-vojsk-nbc-news.html) - Ссылается на NBC News; передает верхнюю границу оценки — до половины контингента (до 40 тыс.). - [NBC: US Could Withdraw Up to Half of Its Contingent from Europe](https://www.delfi.lt/ru/news/abroad/nbc-ssha-mogut-vyvesti-iz-evropy-do-poloviny-kontingenta-120306728) - Независимая перепроверка версии NBC News о возможном выводе до половины контингента. - [FA Names Risks for Europe from the Withdrawal of American Troops](https://www.rbc.ru/politics/15/09/2026/6aa98207aa486512f37fb6e8) - Дополнительный контекст о рисках для Европы в случае сокращения американского присутствия. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Exactly how many US troops could be withdrawn from Europe? **A:** Sources differ: according to seven current and former officials, the figure is about a third of the contingent — roughly 25,000 personnel — while some sources cite up to half of the forces — up to 40,000 service members. The final figure has not been confirmed. ### Q: Which countries would be affected by the reduction first? **A:** Primarily Germany, Italy, and Spain, where the bulk of American forces in Europe are based. ### Q: Has a final decision on the troop withdrawal already been made? **A:** No. The decision is being made as part of a six-month force review: General Grynkewich's analysis was submitted to the Secretary of Defense on September 18, final recommendations are due on November 6, and will be presented to the US President.