The United States has confirmed it is reducing its troop presence on NATO's eastern flank in Romania, a move European allies fear could create a security vacuum and embolden Russia at a time of heightened confrontation . The decision, which reflects the Trump administration's strategic shift toward the Indo-Pacific region, has sparked rare bipartisan criticism, with senior U.S. lawmakers warning it "sends the wrong signal" to the Kremlin .
The adjustment involves ending the rotation of a U.S. Army brigade that had elements in several NATO countries, including Romania . Specifically, the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division will return to its home base in Kentucky and will not be replaced . The Romanian defense ministry stated that approximately 1,000 U.S. troops will remain stationed in the country, a reduction from the more than 1,700 estimated to be there as of April . The troops being withdrawn are from the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base on the Black Sea, a key logistics and training hub for NATO operations .
The announcement has raised alarms among European security officials and U.S. lawmakers who fear the move undermines NATO's deterrent power. Analysts suggest the reduction could tempt Russia to test the alliance's resolve further through acts of sabotage or airspace violations . Giuseppe Spatafora, a research analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies, noted that while the full extent of the withdrawal is not yet known, the direction is clear: "fewer US troops and assets, and an expectation that Europeans will fill the gap" . In a rare rebuke, top Republican lawmakers including Sen. Roger Wicker and Rep. Mike Rogers stated the decision "undermines deterrence and risks inviting further Russian aggression," especially concerning given recent Russian drone incursions into Romanian airspace .
The Trump administration has framed the drawdown as a "positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility," stating that European allies are heeding the call to take primary responsibility for their conventional defense . The Romanian defense ministry acknowledged the decision was "expected" and is a result of "new priorities of the presidential administration," namely a strategic pivot toward the Indo-Pacific and a focus on U.S. borders . However, this shift occurs amidst a ongoing major U.S. review of its global military posture, the findings of which are not expected until early next year, leaving allies uncertain aboutfuture cuts . Despite official assurances, the move has intensified concerns that the U.S. commitment to European security is wavering, potentially creating an opening for further regional instability .