RRI.CO.ID. Jakarta - The United States has decided to pull its troops out of Germany, and the move caught many European leaders by surprise. Even so, they said it is another reminder that Europe needs to handle more of its own security instead of relying heavily on the U.S.

As quoted by AP, the Pentagon had already announced a troop reduction from Germany last week. President Trump said the cuts would be even deeper than planned.

He did not give a clear reason, and NATO officials were not expecting such a large and sudden change. The decision seems linked to disagreements over the war in Iran.

Trump is frustrated that Germany and other European countries have not supported the U.S.-Israeli campaign there. The troop withdrawal looks like a response to that tension rather than a long-term Défense strategy.

European leaders tried to stay calm about the news. Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr, said the situation should not be exaggerated because Europe is already expected to take more responsibility for its own Défense. He stressed that any changes should be managed carefully within NATO.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kllas, said talk of U.S. troop cuts in Europe is not new, but the timing was unexpected. She argued that Europe now has to strengthen its own role inside NATO. When asked if Trump was punishing Germany’s chancellor, she said only Trump could explain his thinking.

NATO is now working with the U.S. to get details about the withdrawal. Allies have known for a while that some American forces would leave Europe, and a few already left another country last year. Still, the size and speed of the Germany decision surprised many of them.

NATO’s secretary-general downplayed the impact, noting U.S. disappointment over Europe’s lack of support in the Iran war. Several European countries have refused to let the U.S. use their bases freely for attacks on Iran. He said Europe has gotten the message and is adjusting its own military arrangements, including moving key equipment closer to the region, but will not get involved in policing the Strait of Hormuz until the war ends.

Source : AP