Rutte, speaking alongside President Nicușor Dan during a visit to Romania on Wednesday, urged against overreacting to the move.
“Adjustments to the US force posture are not unusual,” he said, adding that America’s military presence in Europe remains higher than in recent years, with more personnel on the continent than before 2022.
“I really think we are making a little bit too much” of the decision, he said.
The United States announced last week it would pull back a rotating brigade in Romania and not replace it, calling the step a “positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility.”
Washington said it still maintains a “robust presence” across Europe and can meet its NATO obligations. US deployments on the continent typically range between 80,000 and 100,000 troops, depending on operations and exercises.
Rutte said the alliance has the plans and forces to protect frontline members. He pointed to the Eastern Sentry mission
launched in mid-September after drone incursions in several member states, and to this month’s Dacian Fall exercise in Romania and Bulgaria, involving about 5,000 troops from 10 NATO nations. Those drills, he said, show NATO can quickly bring in the troops needed “to help to defend Romania.”
Dan echoed the message. He said he has “no concern” about the US decision, calling the Eastern Sentry and the ongoing exercise proof of coordination for large-scale troop movements.
(jh)
Source: Euronews, Reuters