Updated

The Pentagon is considering a reduction of roughly 5,000 US troops from its 80,000-strong force in Europe, according to Kyiv Post on 15 November 2026. That figure is well below the 25,000 drawdown that NATO allies had initially feared. Most reductions are expected to affect Germany amid tensions between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump. NATO's eastern flank could see reinforcements ahead of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's recommendations due 1 December.