Trump considering withdrawing troops from Germany to Hungary, - The Telegraph

US President Donald Trump is considering withdrawing about 35,000 American soldiers from Germany and relocating them to Hungary, a country with close ties to Russia. Such a move could further strain US-Europe relations, which are already under pressure due to various security and defense issues.

According to The Telegraph, sources close to the White House administration say that Trump is increasingly frustrated with Europe, claiming the continent is "pushing for war."

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that European countries must invest more in their own defense instead of relying on support from the United States. He has also frequently criticized NATO for failing to meet defense spending commitments, which should amount to 2% of the GDP of each member country.

Hungary has become a focal point after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vetoed an EU initiative that aimed to increase support for Ukraine.

Orbán, known for his friendly relations with Moscow, has repeatedly opposed EU sanctions against Russia. Trump, for his part, has stated that he is willing to reorient the location of US military bases, prioritizing NATO countries that more actively fulfill their commitments.

Trump considers military redeployment

"If you don’t pay your bills, we’re not going to participate. We’re not going to protect you," Trump stated, outlining his demands to NATO allies. During his previous term, he had already initiated the withdrawal of part of the US military forces from Germany, but this move was halted by Joe Biden's administration.

Currently, the total number of American military personnel stationed outside the US is approximately 160,000, with the majority based in Germany. Now, Trump is again questioning the necessity of such a large contingent on the European continent.

Meanwhile, Europe, increasingly concerned about the potential withdrawal of the US from its security structure, is actively negotiating to strengthen its defense capabilities. Specifically, the UK and France have initiated a new round of talks to create a "coalition of the willing" that could support Ukraine in post-war settlement.

European leaders, despite Hungary's veto, continue to provide support to Ukraine, which includes both financial and military aid.

US may withdraw troops from Europe

Europe expects the US to withdraw thousands of American troops that were deployed to Europe at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, as per the decision of the Joe Biden administration.

Three European diplomats reported that they expect around 20,000 American soldiers to be pulled out from the continent. One NATO diplomat noted, "I would not be surprised if at some point [those troops] go back to their home base in America."

Analysts believe that the deployment of European troops in Ukraine to support the ceasefire regime could complicate US efforts to fill gaps in other regions, which will be part of the negotiations with the Donald Trump administration.

An important American contingent, responsible for military command and management, is also stationed in Europe. According to the US European Command, the number of American troops in Europe since 2022 ranges from 75,000 to 105,000, with about 63,000 stationed there permanently, while the rest are rotational.