YEREVAN, ARMENIA — European leaders said on Monday that President Donald Trump’s sudden decision would draw thousands of people American soldiers Germany’s exit came as a surprise but it is the latest sign that Europe has to look after its own security.
The Pentagon announced last week that it would withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany, but Trump told reporters on Saturday that “we’re going to be cutting significantly. And we’re cutting by more than 5,000.”
He did not give any reason for this stepWhich surprised NATO, but its decision came amid rising tensions Controversy with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Trump’s anger over the US-Israeli war over Iran and the reluctance of European allies to get involved in the conflict in the Middle East.
Asked about the US decision, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Storey said: “I wouldn’t overstate it because I think we are expecting Europe to take more charge of its own security.
“I don’t consider those figures to be dramatic, but I think they should be handled harmoniously within the framework of NATO,” he told reporters in Yerevan, Armenia. Where European leaders held a summit.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that “there needs to be a strong European element in NATO, I have no doubt about that.” He told his European partners that there is more tension in some of their international alliances “than there should be”, and so it is very important that we deal with it.
“The withdrawal of US troops from Europe has been discussed for a long time. But of course, the timing of this announcement is a surprise,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
“I think it shows that we really have to strengthen the European pillar in NATO,” she said.
Asked if she believed Trump was trying to punish Merz, who said the US had been humiliated by Iran in negotiations to end the war, Callas said: “I don’t see in President Trump’s mind, so he has to explain it himself.”
Meraz did not attend the European Political Community summit of about 30 European leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Armenia. But his spokesman, Stephan Cornelius, when asked in Berlin whether the US could still be trusted as a military partner, replied: “Absolutely.”
He said the trans-Atlantic alliance has evolved over decades and argued that “we have a very flexible and comprehensive relationship.” But on what Trump meant when he said the number of troops would exceed 5,000, Cornelius said: “You’d have to ask the U.S. government.”
In response to Trump’s threats last year, European countries and Canada have increased defense spending. military recruitment Attempt.
Over the weekend, NATO spokeswoman Alison Hart said officials from the 32-nation military alliance were “working with the US to understand the details of their decision on the status of force in Germany.”
European allies and Canada knew Trump would do just that after he came back to power last year withdraw troops from EuropeSome people already left Romania in October, but US officials promised to coordinate any moves with their NATO allies to avoid creating a security vacuum.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte downplayed the move, saying there was “disappointment from the US at this moment” regarding European support for the war on Iran.
In particular, France, Spain and Britain have refused to give the US military a free hand to use bases on their territory to attack Iran. Spain has forbidden them from using its airfields and bases for warfare.
But Rutte, who has supported Trump’s leadership of NATO despite the US president’s criticism of most allies, said: “I would say the Europeans have heard a message. They are now making sure that all bilateral base agreements are being implemented.”
Rutte said European countries had “decided to pre-position assets, key assets close to the theatre, for the next phase.”
He gave no details, but the Europeans have insisted they will not help police the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy trade route, until the war is over.
French President Emmanuel Macron said: “If the United States is ready to reopen Hormuz, that’s great. This is what we have been demanding from the beginning.” But he underlined that the Europeans are not ready to get involved in any operation “that does not seem clear.”
In another sign of differences with Merz, Trump has accused the EU of not complying with its US trade agreement and announced plans increase tariffs Tariffs of 25% will be imposed on cars and trucks produced in the bloc next week, a move that would be particularly damaging for Germany, a major automobile maker.
Without mentioning Trump or the United States, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen listed recent trade deals the bloc has sealed with Australia and India, and is now working with Mexico.
“With like-minded friends, you have stable, reliable supply chains and the largest network of free trade agreements in Europe,” von der Leyen, visiting from Germany, told reporters.
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Cook reported from Brussels. Associated Press writer Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
