NATO seeks details about US troop reduction in Germany

Secretary - General NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, said the alliance is looking for details about US President Donald Trump's decision to cut the number of US troops in Germany. He made comments Tuesday, while the proposal for troop cuts has taken allies by surprise.

President Trump, who has criticised Germany for not spending enough on defence, confirmed last week's reports of a cut of 9,500 American troops in Germany on Monday. If that happens, it would be the first time the US president puts into place the threat to reduce support in Europe.

“Ende has not been decided on how and when this decision will be implemented,” said Mr. Stoltenberg in a videoconference press, A reports A. LAT.

He said he had talked with President Trump and other US officials and that he was consulting German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who said last week that he was not informed of the decision.

The “is a bilateral agreement between the US and Germany, but of course it matters to the entire alliance,” said Mr. Stoltenberg.

He claimed he had told President Trump that American troops in Europe are not just for protection of territory, but allow the United States to project power beyond the continent.

Last week, an American official said the decision was the result of many months of work and had nothing to do with the tensions between President Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who rejected his plan for a Seventh summit, under his hospitality, with physical participation of leaders.

The United States has not yet informed the allies of the decision, but could use a meeting of NATO defence ministers held on Wednesday and Thursday in video conference, two coalition diplomats said.

However, the United States will hold a military staff of about 50,000 people in Europe.