NATO exercises targeting Russian threats see reduced US participation
NATO exercises are currently underway in Europe due to the threat from Russia (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The US has reduced its military presence on NATO’s eastern flank in Europe, demonstrating the policy of the American President Donald Trump’s administration, states head of US European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Alexus Grynkewich.
He made this comment in relation to military exercises currently taking place off the coast of Italy. There, US allies are conducting drills simulating potential conflicts with Russia.
The Neptune Strike military exercises bring together the US and nine of its allies, including the UK, Greece, Poland, and Türkiye. They are practicing long-range strikes on NATO’s eastern flank, targeting training grounds near Russia.
According to the UN, the purpose of the exercises is to protect critical waterways, such as the Mediterranean Sea, which connects Europe with Africa and the Middle East and carries about 30% of global oil traffic.
“Our main goal is to deter that conflict from ever happening,” said Grinkevich, referring to a potential confrontation with Russia.
CBS News notes that although the US has participated in previous military exercises, its presence this year was smaller, as the Trump administration is pressuring allied countries to invest more in European defense. During his first term, US President Donald Trump repeatedly called on NATO members to increase their defense spending to at least 5% of their respective GDPs.
US plans to reduce NATO's presence in Europe
Recently, the US Congress confirmed that the Department of War had indeed discussed reducing American troops in the Baltic countries. However, a congressman criticized this idea, adding that it sends a bad signal to allies, as it is exactly what Russia would expect. Therefore, Congress plans to oppose it.
Shortly before this, the US began a major reduction of its military presence in Eastern Europe. As part of this reduction, 800 American troops were to be withdrawn from Romania, and the contingent was also to be reduced in Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Hungary.
At the beginning of 2025, US President Donald Trump promised to reduce the American military contingent in Europe by 20%.
