The United States is likely to retain 100,000 troops in Europe for the foreseeable future in the face of a Russian threat, US officials say
The numbers could temporarily increase if NATO conducts more military exercises in the region, and the United States can add additional bases in Europe if the security environment changes, officials added.
The plans are being considered after Thursday’s meeting with NATO military chiefs in Brussels, officials said. The military chiefs are making recommendations for a NATO defense ministers’ meeting scheduled for June, and NATO leaders including President Joe Biden will meet in Madrid later that month.
The United States increased its total force in Europe from about 60,000 troops before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to about 100,000 now, adding troops and military assets to countries along Europe’s eastern flank to support NATO and to further deter Russia. The United States contributed thousands of troops to NATO’s Response Force, which was activated for the first time in NATO’s history earlier this spring.
NATO chiefs of staff, including General Tod Wolters, who serves as commander of both the US European Command and Commander-in-Chief of the European Union, Europe, attended the meetings in Brussels as the war in Ukraine progressed, approaching three months since Russia’s invasion began. The United States added thousands of troops to Europe on temporary rotations, deployed additional military assets to the eastern flank to support eight new NATO battle groups, and sent billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, along with NATO allies.
But the Pentagon recently announced replacement troops for these temporary rotations, signaling that the United States’ increased presence will be maintained for some time to come. The Pentagon announced that about 10,500 U.S. Army personnel would be deployed to Europe in the coming weeks and months to replace forces already there on May 13.
In addition to the major NATO meetings, General Milley also met with military leaders from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, as well as Finland and Sweden this week, according to readings from Joint Staff Spokesman Colonel Dave Butler.
As Sweden and Finland are ready to join NATO, US officials do not believe that additional forces will be needed unless Russia suddenly poses a threat to the two Nordic countries. If Russia were to move weapons or make serious threats to move weapons closer, the position of the force might need to be further re-evaluated, officials said.
Sweden and Finland have expressed concerns about their security during the interim period after submitting their applications for membership and asking some NATO allies for additional security support as the process unfolds. Some nations have agreed to provide additional support to the two countries, said Admiral Robert Bauer, chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, on Thursday.
Most NATO members have welcomed Finland’s and Sweden’s application for membership, but Turkey has raised objections.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with Sweden’s Secretary of Defense Peter Hultqvist at the Pentagon on Wednesday, a day before NATO’s military chiefs’ meeting in Brussels.
“The Secretary made it very clear that we have a level of comfort with their military that goes back many years, and that we at staff level will be happy to have a discussion with them about the security and capacity needs they may need to ensure them and to deter Russia if needed “, said a senior defense official about the meeting between Austin and Hultqvist on Wednesday.
The official said that there would be further discussions at personnel level about what Sweden’s needs may be and how the United States can help meet them, and that the United States has also involved Finland in similar discussions at personnel level. Requests for additional security needs may not lead to additional US troops, the official added. As an example, the United States can participate in further military exercises with Sweden or Finland, according to the official.
A more permanent force change of posture
NATO and US leaders have indicated a more permanent change in the position of the European force in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion, with a possible announcement at the NATO summit in Madrid next month. It could strengthen the level of 100,000 soldiers for some time to come.
In April, Austin told US lawmakers that the war in Ukraine and Putin’s actions would change the US military footprint in Europe.
“This illegal and unprovoked aggression by Putin has the effect of changing the security architecture of the region for some time to come,” Austin said. “We expect that it will change our footprint. As for how much it will change the US contribution, it remains to be seen.”
Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg both hinted at a more permanent change in NATO’s military position, especially in Eastern Europe at the conclusion of NATO’s informal Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Berlin, Germany on 15 May.
“We also spent time here in Berlin laying the groundwork for next month’s summit in Madrid,” Blinken said during a news conference at the end of NATO’s informal meeting in Berlin. “NATO will release its new strategic concept outlining how the Alliance will maintain and strengthen transatlantic security in the face of President Putin’s aggression as well as other emerging threats. And we will look forward to our continued efforts to strengthen our strength on NATO’s eastern flank. . ”
Stoltenberg said the alliance will “take important decisions to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense to reflect the new security reality in Europe”, during the Madrid summit next month following the conclusion of the informal meeting in Berlin on 15 May.