Let's not make 'too much' of US troop withdrawal, Rutte says on Romania visit

NATO chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday sought to downplay concerns over the partial withdrawal of US troops in Romania during a visit to the country, insisting Washington remains committed to defending the alliance's eastern flank.

"Adjustments to US force posture are not unusual," Rutte told reporters during a press conference alongside Romanian President Nicușor Dan.

"And even with this adjustment, the US force posturing in Europe remains larger than has been for many years. There are still many more US forces on the continent than before 2022," he added.

"I really think we are making a little bit too much" out of the withdrawal, Rutte said.

The US announced last week that it would withdraw a rotating brigade currently stationed in the country and not replace it, insisting in a statement that this is "a positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility".

They also said that they continue to maintain a "robust presence" across Europe and therefore the ability to meet their NATO commitments.

The US has between 80,000 and 100,000 troops deployed across Europe at any given time, depending on operations and exercises.

The NATO chief sought to strike a similar reassuring note on Wednesday, telling reporters that Washington remains committed to the defence of the eastern flank and that the alliance as a whole has the plans in place to defend frontline countries.

This includes Eastern Sentry, the NATO operation launched in mid-September in response to drone incursions in several member states, as well as "plans in place to make sure that we defend every inch of allied territory".

He also said this month's Dacian Fall exercise in Romania and Bulgaria in which some 5,000 troops from 10 NATO countries will take part shows that "we are able, whenever necessary, to immediately get all the troops in Romania needed to bring the forward land forces to the level where they can help to defend Romania".

The Romanian president also said he has "no concern" over the withdrawal of US troops from the country.

The Eastern Sentry operation and "the military exercise that is being conducted now is proof that we are coordinating for large movements of military troops," Dan said.