The US considers the withdrawal of troops from Europe. The President of Turkey has made an important declaration
“NATO as the basis of Euro -Atlantic security is one of the pillars of Turkish foreign policy and our country's security” – Erdogan declared.
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Speaking of the future of NATO and European security architecture, he stated that “Again (in Europe) you can see a greater need (commitment to this) Turkey“.
Türkiye has a second largest army in NATO, which has over 800 thousand. soldiers, including reservists.
“Türkiye is ready to take responsibility for European security in the future, especially taking into account our defense sector” – Erdogan added on Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
He also assured that full membership in The EU is still the strategic goal of Ankara.
USA considering the withdrawal of soldiers from Europe
According to NBC News informants, Tall -ranking Pentagon officials debate the future of 20,000. soldiers and staff who have been stationed in Eastern Europe since 2022. At that time, the administration of President Joe Biden decided to strengthen the countries bordering Ukraine after the start of Russia's invasion of this country. As the station said, “The numbers are still discussed, but the proposal may include the removal of even half of the forces sent by Biden“.
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European officials cited by the station say that If the Pentagon decides to withdraw soldiers, it will strengthen the fears that the US abandon their many years of allies in Europe, for which Russia is a growing threat.
It was reminded that the administration Donald Trump makes it clear that he expects European allies to take more responsibility for their own defense. This is to allow the US to focus on building defense in the face of China's threat.
“The president (USA Donald Trump) is constantly analyzing the distribution of forces and priorities to make sure that America is the most important” – said the spokesman for the National Security Council Brian Hughes in a statement for NBC News.
American officials have found that reducing the presence of the US army in Europe would release military resources for the Indo-Pacific region and is now “The highest strategic priority” in connection with the budget cuts in the Pentagon.
84,000 are stationed in Europe American soldiers, including in Poland about 10,000, in Germany – 37,000, and in Italy – 13 thousand. In total, there are over 40 American military bases on the continent, mainly in Germany, Italy and Great Britain.
