German Defense Minister: Withdrawal of U.S. troops was "expected long ago" Germany and the U.S. will still maintain close military cooperation

In response to U.S. Secretary of Defense’s recent order to withdraw about 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on May 2 local time that the decision “comes as no surprise.” Pistorius said that the U.S. military presence in Europe—especially in Germany—“serves both our interests and America’s interests.”

Pistorius added that reducing the number of troops stationed in Europe and Germany was “something that was foreseeable,” and the relevant adjustments were not sudden decisions. It is understood that the troop withdrawal will be completed within 6 to 12 months.

At present, the U.S. has about 86,000 soldiers deployed in Europe, including about 39,000 stationed in Germany. For a long time, the U.S. has maintained multiple important military bases in Germany, including the European Command in Stuttgart and the Ramstein Air Base in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, among others.

Pistorius emphasized that although some forces will be withdrawn, military cooperation between Germany and the United States will still remain close. The two sides continue to cooperate in places including Ramstein, Grafenwöhr, and Frankfurt, maintaining coordination on European security, support for Ukraine, and joint deterrence.

In addition, U.S. military bases in Germany not only serve Europe’s defense but also take on security tasks related to Africa and the Middle East. When discussing NATO development, Pistorius said that in the face of U.S. troop adjustments, Europe needs to shoulder more security responsibility. In his view, NATO should further strengthen the role of Europe’s pillar to maintain the overall strength of the transatlantic alliance.

Germany is working to improve its own defense capabilities through measures such as expanding its military forces and advancing infrastructure construction. (CCTV News)