Three Republican lawmakers issued a forceful statement on October 29, warning that a planned reduction of U.S. troops in Romania could trigger further withdrawals from Eastern Europe.
Republican Pushback on U.S. Troop Reductions
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers released a statement on Wednesday, October 29, expressing concern over the Pentagon’s plan to cut U.S. forces in Romania and conduct a force review that could lead to additional withdrawals from Eastern Europe. They warned that the review could undermine deterrence against Russia and must be coordinated with the U.S. government and NATO.
Romania’s Defence Commitment Under Scrutiny
Wicker and Rogers highlighted Romania’s long‑standing commitment to spend over 2% of its GDP on defence and its pledge to reach 5%. They noted that Romania hosts the U.S. Aegis Ashore missile‑defence unit since 2016, stressing that any U.S. troop reduction would negate the country’s key role in NATO security.
Russian Drone Breaches Prompt Calls for Action
Weeks ago, Russian drones violated Romanian airspace, prompting committee leaders to claim that premature U.S. withdrawals would “undermine deterrence and invite further Russian aggression.” They warned that the Pentagon’s decision sends a negative signal to Putin while President Trump pushes for talks to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Impact on Poland Not Yet Clarified
The Republicans left unanswered questions about how the withdrawal plan would affect Poland’s strategic posture. They are seeking clarification from the Pentagon on how the move may be mitigated and whether coordination with allies has taken place to minimise repercussions.