EU Foreign Minister Surprised by US Decision to Withdraw Troops from Germany
Interfax
The European Union expressed surprise at the US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. EU Foreign Minister Kaya Kallas noted that Brussels was not informed in advance and is evaluating the security implications.
On May 4, 2026, European Union Foreign Minister Kaya Kallas stated that the US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany came as a surprise to the bloc.
Speaking at a press conference, Kallas emphasized that Brussels had not been notified in advance about the plan and is now assessing its impact on European security. She also called for maintaining close dialogue with Washington to ensure regional stability.
The decision by the administration of US President Joe Biden comes amid rising tensions between the US and some European allies over defense cost-sharing. The troop withdrawal is expected to take place over the coming months, raising concerns about NATO's collective defense capabilities.
No official response has yet come from Germany, but Berlin officials have previously expressed concerns about reducing the US military presence in Europe.
