Washington: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of around 5,000 US soldiers stationed in Germany, the Pentagon said on Friday.
According to Emirates News Agency, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the need for Europe to take on more responsibility for its security. He stated that Germany is on the right path, highlighting the expansion of the Bundeswehr, faster procurement of equipment, a focus on innovation, and the construction of more defence infrastructure.
NATO has also expressed its stance on the matter. On Saturday, the alliance mentioned that it is collaborating with Washington to understand the reason behind the troop reduction. NATO spokeswoman Alison Hart noted that this adjustment highlights the need for Europe to continue investing in defence and assume a greater share of responsibility for shared security. She pointed out that there has been progress since Allies agreed to invest 5% of GDP in defence.