U.S. tells Europe any troop withdrawal would be limited: report

▲ This file photo, released by Reuters, shows the Pentagon as seen from the air in Washington on March 3, 2022. (Yonhap)

US-troop drawdown

U.S. tells Europe any troop withdrawal would be limited: report

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (Yonhap) -- U.S. officials have told European leaders not to expect major U.S. troop cuts anytime soon, saying that any withdrawal would be "limited," a news report said Wednesday, amid lingering questions about a potential force posture change in South Korea.

Citing officials from Washington and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Politico, a U.S. news outlet, reported that American policymakers have made such remarks in talks with European officials, easing security concerns in European capitals.

The report pointed out that the U.S. will make "targeted changes" and small pullbacks of rotational forces while leaving the vast bulk of U.S. combat forces and materiel in place.

Concerns have continued that President Donald Trump's administration might weigh troop reductions in Europe and other regions as it seeks to focus on defending the U.S. homeland and the Western Hemisphere.

Expectations have also arisen that Washington could consider a troop drawdown on the Korean Peninsula given that it is calling on South Korea to take "primary" responsibility for its conventional defense against North Korea as it seeks to concentrate on deterring Chinese threats.

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