The United States is gearing up to discuss the details of a potential troop withdrawal from Europe with its NATO allies, according to US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker. The talks are set to begin after the NATO summit in June, marking a significant step towards a partial pullout that America has been seeking for over three decades. Whitaker emphasized that the US is running out of patience, indicating a sense of urgency in the matter.
The potential withdrawal has been a topic of discussion for some time, with NBC News reporting in April that the US is considering withdrawing up to 10,000 troops from Eastern Europe. US President Donald Trump later confirmed that a partial pullout is being considered, although no timeline has been provided. Whitaker’s recent statement suggests that the US is moving forward with plans to engage its NATO allies on the issue. “It will be certainly after the summit, sometime later in the year, we are going to start those conversations… All our allies are ready to do it,” he told Reuters.
The ambassador also warned that the US will not tolerate further delays, stating, “We are not going to have any more patience for foot dragging in this situation… We just need to work through the practical consequences.” While no final decisions have been made, Whitaker assured that discussions will take place within the NATO framework as soon as possible. The US has been the largest financial contributor to NATO, and Trump has consistently urged European members to increase their defense spending and take more responsibility for their own security.
The potential costs of replacing US equipment and personnel following a withdrawal are substantial, with estimates suggesting a total of around $1 trillion over 25 years. This includes one-off purchase costs ranging from $226 billion to $344 billion, as well as expenses for maintenance, personnel, and support. The list of military hardware that European NATO members may need to acquire is extensive, including 400 tactical combat aircraft, 20 destroyers, and 24 long-range surface-to-air missiles. As of early 2025, there were nearly 84,000 US troops stationed in Europe, with significant deployments in Germany, Poland, and other Eastern European countries. The upcoming discussions between the US and its NATO allies will be closely watched, as the potential troop withdrawal has significant implications for European security and the future of the alliance.