Estonia says US troops going nowhere despite planned cuts in Europe

American military personnel stationed in Estonia will remain in the country, although “surprises” cannot be ruled out, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said amid growing discussions over potential reductions in US troop levels across Europe.

Pevkur said recently announced plans to reduce the US military presence in Europe to levels seen before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are now moving from the political sphere into military planning, ERR reports.

“What is clear is that this isn't major news, since as early as a year ago, or a little more, President Trump said the US military posture in Europe would be reduced,” Pevkur stated. “It seems that those clear plans are now moving from the political level to the military level.”

The minister noted that recent reports regarding troop adjustments in Poland appear to be linked to broader plans involving Germany rather than representing separate initiatives.

“Moreover, it appears that the Poland news is connected to the Germany news — not some additional add-on — although every day brings more information,” he said.

Pevkur added that Estonia is closely monitoring developments through consultations with NATO allies and US officials. He said the commander of the Estonian Defence Forces is scheduled to meet with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe on May 19 to obtain further details.

“We will get more information, and when Poland's defence minister visits Estonia at the end of the week, we will also be able to discuss among ourselves what our next steps will be and what information is coming from Washington,” he said.

According to Pevkur, the issue concerns Europe as a whole, with the Pentagon assessing the continent’s security posture in broader strategic terms.

“President Trump's message about withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany was a reaction to one of Chancellor Merz's statements,” he said. “A solution has to be found now on how to conduct that withdrawal, and from the US side — from the Pentagon's perspective — Europe is certainly being viewed as a whole.”

The minister also pointed to intensive diplomatic efforts by Poland aimed at clarifying Washington’s intentions regarding the future deployment of US forces along NATO’s eastern flank.

“I know that the Polish government is working very intensively not only with Americans based in Poland but also with Americans in Washington, while the Poles in Washington are working very intensively to either have the decision reconsidered or clarify what the exact force structure in Poland and along the entire eastern flank will be,” Pevkur said.

By Vafa Guliyeva