The US Congress intends to block the withdrawal of American troops from Romania, according to sources cited by the Kyiv Post
A bipartisan group of American lawmakers, with major influence in the field of defense, is preparing a bill aimed at blocking the Trump administration's plan to reduce the United States' military presence in Romania and other NATO states on the Alliance's eastern border, the Kyiv Post reports, citing Washington sources.
US Congress/PHOTO: Shutterstock
The Pentagon's decision – confirmed this week and described by critics as “a gift to the Kremlin” – has sparked a backlash in Congress, where Republican and Democratic leaders see the withdrawal as a step that would undermine NATO's ability to deter Russia.
Republican revolt over White House security policy
The most vehement opponents come from within the Republican Party itself, a sign of deep concern within the American security establishment.
Senate and House Armed Services Committee Chairmen Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) publicly criticized the Pentagon's decision, describing it as “uncoordinated and contrary to the president's own strategy.”
For his part, Congressman Mike Turner (Republican – Ohio), the head of the American delegation at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, warned that the troop reduction in Romania sends “the wrong signal” to the Eastern allies.
Senator Thom Tillis (Republican – North Carolina) went further, emphasizing the essential role of Bucharest in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture: “Romania has been a solid ally for almost three decades, which has invested billions in strengthening NATO. Reducing the American presence here contradicts any strategic logic”he said, adding that “the United States should not surprise its partners.”
According to Western officials cited by the Kyiv Post, the Pentagon also plans to reduce forces in Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia starting next month.
Democrats support the initiative to block the withdrawal
On the other side, the Democrats joined the effort, considering that the withdrawal would weaken the cohesion of the Atlantic Alliance at a critical moment.
Adam Smith (D-Washington), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, confirmed at a debate organized by the Council on Foreign Relations that elected officials are working on a legislative initiative to prevent the reduction of the American contingent.
“We will try to take measures to block this decision because it is exactly the wrong signal we can send to Moscow and our European allies”Smith said, adding that the measure reflects “a dangerous isolationist trend” within the Republican Party.
The Pentagon's argument: strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific
In its justification, the Pentagon cited the need for “strategic realignment” to redirect resources to the Indo-Pacific region, considered the new center of gravity of American foreign policy.
But both Democrats and Republicans reject that explanation, arguing that the timing is deeply flawed and contradicts the administration's “peace through force” message.
American diplomat Daniel Fried, one of the architects of post-Cold War policy in Europe, told the Kyiv Post that the decision could still be changed.
“In Trump's world, nothing is set in stone. There is always a way to change a decision”Fried said, expressing hope that the end result of the military posture review will limit the negative effects: “Ideally these withdrawals would be only symbolic, not a major reduction.”
The congressional initiative opens a far-reaching political confrontation between the legislature and the executive, with potential direct consequences for the security balance in Eastern Europe.
