Pistorius says US troop withdrawal expected, urges Europe to boost defense role
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said the pullout of troops from Germany announced by the Pentagon on Friday had been expected and that Europe has to do more for its own defense.
“That US troops are withdrawing from Europe and also from Germany was to be expected,” Pistorius said.
“We Europeans must take on more responsibility for our own security,” Pistorius said, adding, “Germany is on the right track” with the measures it has introduced to expand its armed forces, speed up military procurement and build infrastructure.
The Pentagon said that US would withdraw 5,000 soldiers from Germany amid a growing rift with Berlin, dw.com reports.
Among other things, US President Donald Trump has expressed anger at a remark made on Monday by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Iran was “humiliating” Washington at the negotiating table.
Trump has accused Germany and Europe of doing too little to help the US in its war against Iran, which it says aims to stop Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons.
