Lt. Gen: US weighs military force reduction in Europe

The US is currently reviewing the size of its military forces stationed in Europe, with a possible reduction under consideration, Lieutenant General Alexus Grinkevich revealed during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Grinkevich, nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the US European Command (EUCOM), emphasised the strategic importance of the command’s position, describing it as a good springboard for deploying forces to any region of the world for combat operations. However, he cautioned that he did not want to anticipate the results of the ongoing review regarding any potential force reductions, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Traditionally, the EUCOM commander also serves as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), overseeing the alliance’s Allied Command Operations. Reports from late May by the German newspaper highlighted expectations among senior European diplomats that Washington will announce troop reductions in Europe within the coming months.

President Trump suggested such cuts could take place as early as April. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has stated that no final decision has yet been made on the future size of the US military presence in Europe, indicating that outcomes from ongoing diplomatic negotiations with Moscow will influence any moves.

By Naila Huseynova