**US to Start Talks on Troop Reductions in Europe Later This Year: NATO Envoy**
The United States plans to begin discussions with European allies later this year about reducing its military presence on the continent, according to US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker. Speaking at a security conference in Estonia, Whitaker confirmed that while no decisions have been made, the Trump administration is preparing to move forward with plans that have long been under consideration.
Whitaker emphasized that the talks would take place after the NATO summit in The Hague in June and would be coordinated closely with allies to avoid creating security gaps. “It’s more than 30 years of US desire (to reduce troops in Europe), President Trump just said, enough, this is going to happen and it’s going to happen now,” he said. “This is going to be orderly, but we are not going to have any more patience for foot dragging in this situation… We just need to work through the practical consequences.”
The news comes after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO allies in February that “stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe.” Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance had also criticized European defense spending in a private chat, with Hegseth allegedly expressing his “loathing of European free-loading.”
While the prospect of US troop reductions has raised concerns among European allies, Whitaker reassured NATO partners that Washington remains committed to the alliance. “The United States is going to remain in this alliance, and we are going to be a great friend and a great ally,” he said.
Whitaker also warned the European Union against shutting non-EU companies out of defense procurement, arguing that such moves would undermine NATO interoperability, slow Europe’s rearmament, raise costs, and stifle innovation. The comments suggest that the US is keen to ensure that any troop reductions do not compromise the alliance’s ability to respond to security threats.
**What does this mean for European allies?**
The planned talks on troop reductions are likely to be a major topic of discussion at the NATO summit in June. While no decisions have been made, the news is likely to raise concerns among European allies about the future of US military presence on the continent.
Whitaker’s comments suggest that the US is keen to ensure that any troop reductions do not compromise the alliance’s ability to respond to security threats. However, the prospect of reduced US military presence may also raise questions about the balance of power within NATO and the potential implications for European security.
**What’s next?**
The talks on troop reductions are expected to begin later this year, with Whitaker emphasizing that they would be coordinated closely with allies to avoid creating security gaps. The outcome of these talks is likely to have significant implications for the future of US military presence in Europe and the balance of power within NATO.
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