The US Department of Defense will reduce the number of US combat brigade teams stationed in Europe from four to three, returning ground force levels to those of 2021, the Pentagon said.
The cut is the second announced US drawdown in Europe within two weeks, following the planned withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany, and comes amid pressure from President Donald Trump on European allies to take greater responsibility for the continent's defense.
Poland deployment delayed
The reduction halts a planned fourth brigade deployment to Poland, which the Pentagon described as a "model US ally" but said had been "temporarily delayed." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conveyed the decision to Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a 19 May call, the department said.
The Pentagon "will remain in close contact with our Polish counterparts during this analysis, including to ensure that the United States retains a strong military presence in Poland," its statement said.
Cancellation confirmed in congressional testimony
Two US officials told reporters last week that the Pentagon had dropped plans to send 4,000 additional troops to Poland. Acting Army Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve confirmed the cancellation during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, saying it was "most logical not to deploy" the brigade and offering no further explanation.
Pentagon's stated rationale
The Pentagon described the reduction as the outcome of "a comprehensive, multi-level process focused on the deployment of US forces in Europe" that "returns us to 2021 levels of combat brigade teams in Europe."
The department said it would "determine the final disposition of these and other US forces in Europe based on further analysis of US strategic and operational needs, as well as the ability of our allies to provide forces for the defense of Europe."
Wider European drawdown
Two weeks before the brigade-count announcement, the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. Trump has repeatedly criticized European defense spending and said he could consider US withdrawal from NATO.
European politicians have said they heard Trump's call to raise defense spending and assume greater responsibility for continental security but have expressed concern that a hasty US withdrawal could leave Europe vulnerable to Russian military attack. Moscow denies any such intent.
