The Romanian Ministry of Defence has announced that the United States plans to reduce its military presence on NATO’s eastern flank, with approximately 900 to 1,000 American troops remaining in Romania, down from the previous 1,700. This decision, described as ‘expected,’ aligns with the Trump administration’s strategic pivot towards the Indo-Pacific region. Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu revealed that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently emphasized the need for European nations to bolster their own defence capabilities. A US brigade stationed at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase, which is set to become NATO’s largest in Europe, will be rotated out and not replaced. This brigade has elements across Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary, though it remains unclear whether US troops will also be withdrawn from these countries. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Warsaw has ‘no information’ about potential troop reductions on its soil. The Pentagon has yet to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the US military presence at Romania’s Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases will remain unchanged. President Donald Trump has consistently advocated for European NATO members to assume greater responsibility for their defence, reflecting his administration’s broader strategic realignment. However, the troop reduction has raised concerns among Eastern European nations, many of which perceive a persistent threat from Russia. A NATO official reassured that Washington’s commitment to the alliance remains ‘clear,’ noting that such adjustments are ‘not unusual.’ The official highlighted that the US military presence in Europe is still significantly larger than in previous years, with over 100,000 personnel deployed as of late last year. This announcement follows NATO’s recent establishment of the Eastern Sentry mission, aimed at enhancing vigilance along the eastern flank. The decision was prompted by several incidents, including Russian drones entering Polish and Romanian airspace, and Russian warplanes violating Estonian airspace.