U.S. troop withdrawal will not undermine NATO defence in Europe, top commander says

BRUSSELS, May 19 (Reuters) – NATO’s top commander Alexus Grynkewich said on Tuesday that a U.S. decision to withdraw an armoured brigade, or a total of 5,000 troops, from Europe will not undermine the alliance’s defence plans in the region.

Grynkewich, speaking in Brussels where he met with military chiefs from NATO countries, added that European allies and Canada are taking more responsibility for the conventional defence in Europe with continued backing from the U.S. capabilities, which are being adjusted.

“As the European pillar of the alliance gets stronger, this allows the U.S. to reduce its presence in Europe and limit itself to providing only those critical capabilities that allies cannot yet provide,” Grynkewich said, adding that he couldn’t provide an exact timeline but that it would be an “ongoing process for several years”.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Inti Landauro, editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout)