US President Donald Trump says he is continuing his plans to pull out US troops from Germany and says that more than 5,000 troops will be withdrawn. The plans were announced last week after the US President held an hour-long phone-call with Vladimir Putin.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul played down the announcement saying that the announcement is not new as plans to withdraw US troops from Germany had long been in the offing but these plans do not include the bases in Ramstein and Stuttgart which are crucial for the US and NATO he said.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told the press that he is in discussions with the US administration to understand details of their request to NATO, but said that NATO in Europe is well sourced fulfill its deterrence obligations.
President Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Europe is just another measure that fulfills Russia’s interests, among many other measures that the US Administration has taken including pressuring Ukraine to capitulate to Russia. President Donald Trump is criticising Germany and Europe for not helping the United States in the war against Iran, despite the use of US bases in Europe for military operations, including those in Germany. The withdrawal, however, is also part of wider plans to reduce the US military presence in Europe and weaken the Trans-Atlantic Alliance
The US President is also rescinding the trade-agreement he agreed with the EU and is now bumping up tariffs from 15% to 25% in a unilateral decision taken late last week. The EU Commission has replied to the surprise announcement saying that it is ready to protect its interests should the US decides to take any unilateral measures.
Newsroom
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