Donald Trump in new feud with Poland after taking 5,000 troops out of Germany | World | News
The United States is set to cancel the deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland, according to three US Army officials. The move comes just weeks after the country confirmed that it was to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany after comments made by the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
The United States also cancelled a plan developed under the Biden administration to place a missile-equipped artillery unit in Europe. It comes after Germany provoked the ire of the White House after Merz claimed that Iran had “humiliated” Washington during the ongoing conflict. Merz also questioned how the United States planned to end the war.
The rationale behind the move to halt the deployment of a brigade to Poland remains unclear but Donald Trump previously told reporters: “we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000” service members from Germany.”
He also threatened to remove troops from other European countries as part of his ongoing attempt to call on the continent to shoulder more responsibility for its security and defence.
The decision to withdraw troops from Germany, which has the second-highest troop presence outside the United States, with 30,000 active-duty personnel, has drawn criticism from both sides of the American political spectrum.
“Poland would like that,” Trump told journalists earlier this month when asked about the prospect. “We have a great relationship with Poland. I have a great relationship with the president. … I like him a lot, so that’s possible.”
Poland’s defence minister, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, said in a social media post late Wednesday that the decision relates to a previously announced change in the presence of some U.S. Armed Forces in Europe,” as he played down the idea that it was being done in response to actions from Krakow.
Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement earlier this month that the withdrawal from Germany would be completed over the next six to 12 months.
“This decision follows a thorough review of the department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theatre requirements and conditions on the ground,” he said.
