US Reduces Troop Presence in Romania Amid Shifts in Military Focus

Fri Dec 05 2025 11:51:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The United States plans to decrease its troop numbers stationed in Romania from 1,700 to approximately 900-1,000. This adjustment reflects a broader strategy to reallocate military resources towards the Indo-Pacific region.

Romania has announced that the US will reduce its troop presence on NATO's eastern flank, with numbers decreasing from 1,700 to between 900 and 1,000. While the Pentagon assures that this is not a withdrawal from Europe or a diminished commitment to NATO, concerns persist among Eastern European nations about the implications of this military adjustment amidst ongoing tensions with Russia.

Romania's defence ministry has reported that the US intends to reduce its troop presence on NATO's eastern flank, cutting numbers from approximately 1,700 to between 900 and 1,000 American troops.

This decision is part of what Romanian officials describe as the 'resizing' of US forces, linked to new priorities outlined by the Trump administration. Despite these changes, the Pentagon emphasizes that this does not signal a withdrawal from Europe or a weakening of its commitment to NATO.

Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu has indicated that a US brigade stationed at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase, poised to become NATO's largest in Europe, will be rotated out and will not be replaced. The brigade has operational elements across Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary, though it remains unclear if these countries will also experience troop reductions.

The ongoing presence of American forces in Romania, particularly at the Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases, will remain unchanged. The US military's focus has reportedly shifted toward the Indo-Pacific, with officials encouraging European allies to increase their defense funding and efforts.

Article 5 of NATO's founding treaty, which ensures collective defense in the event of an attack, has been emphasized as a crucial deterrent against potential Russian aggression. Despite the announcement of troop reductions, a NATO official reassured that the commitment of the US to the alliance remains strong and that such adjustments are not uncommon in military strategy.

The US maintains over 100,000 military personnel in Europe, a number higher than previous years prior to 2022. Recently, NATO introduced the Eastern Sentry mission to bolster vigilance along its eastern borders in response to provocations from Russian forces.

Concerns linger among Eastern member states regarding the implications of these troop reductions, especially as Russia continues to display aggressive military posturing in the region. The situation warrants close observation as NATO navigates its collective defense strategies against evolving threats.