response from Berlin comes after Trump threats of German troop withdrawal

Germany's Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, has commented on the United States' decision to withdraw part of its troops from Europe, calling it a predictable development.

Pistorius stressed that Europeans must take on more responsibility for the safety of the continent and that there is an urgent need for strengthening European defence capacities, reports Skynews.

According to him, this decision is part of a broader process, where Europe should focus on increasing its own responsibility and the development of its military capacities. “It was predictable that the US would withdraw troops from Europe, including Germany”, Pistorius said.

In response to this change, he announced that Germany would intensify co-operation with “the Five Group” -- an alliance consisting of the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Poland -- for future security and defence missions.

Meanwhile, as Klenkosova.tv broadcasts, the Pentagon has confirmed plans to withdraw about 5,000 American troops from German territory as part of a broader review of the American military presence in Europe.

This withdrawal is scheduled to be realised within a period of 6-12 months and is part of a new strategy aimed at reshuffleing the US military presence on the European continent.

Germany has played a key role in the American military presence in Europe for decades, serving as a logistical and operational base for NATO missions and American operations in many regions of the world.

The withdrawal of American troops from Europe is part of a sustainable change in the American security strategy, which could have consequences for the US military presence in the region.