President Donald Trump’s move towards realignment with Russia is fuelling European nervousness that the United States could reduce its military presence on the continent.
The outcome of the Trump administration’s efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine remains uncertain. Prominent administration members have repeatedly expressed interest in downsizing the United States’ military footprint in Europe to focus on China in the Indo-Pacific.
In the event of a peace deal, analysts and European officials have voiced concern that Trump will withdraw the 20,000 U.S. troops that have been deployed to Eastern Europe since 2022. Trump has also repeatedly said he would consider withdrawing the United States from NATO entirely, according to CFR.
