WARSAW: United States has cancelled the planned deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland as Washington continues reshaping its military presence in Europe following a broader troop reduction announcement in Germany.
US Army officials confirmed during a congressional hearing on Friday that the deployment of the 2nd Armoured Brigade Combat Team to Poland had been scrapped on orders from the office of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
General Christopher LaNeve, acting chief of staff of the US Army, said military leadership had reviewed force requirements and concluded that cancelling the deployment “made the most sense”.
Some troops and equipment linked to the deployment had already begun moving overseas before the order was reversed.
The decision reportedly caught Polish officials by surprise.
Republican Congressman Don Bacon said Polish authorities contacted him after learning about the move and had not received prior notification from Washington.
Military commitments
Democratic Representative Marilyn Strickland criticised the decision, warning it could damage confidence among US allies and raise concerns over Washington’s reliability within NATO.
The development comes shortly after the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany over the next year.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed European allies to assume greater responsibility for regional defence spending and military commitments.
The troop reductions have also emerged amid tensions between Washington and several European allies over the ongoing Iran conflict and security operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
A NATO official said the alliance was aware the US was adjusting its military posture in Europe but insisted the changes would not weaken NATO’s defence plans.
