A statement by the US President Donald Trump to reduce the number of the US troops in Germany could prompt Berlin to improve relations with Russia and reduce tensions in Europe, Chess Freeman, the American diplomat and former Pentagon assistant to the Pentagon’s international security affairs told the reporters.
“One of the likely outcomes of the relocation of Trump’s troops may be more active diplomatic activity on the part of the FRG, aimed at reducing tension”, – he said.
“The question is what adjustments, if they follow, Germany will decide to enter into relations with Russia in order to further reduce the risk of conflict”, – he added. According to him, in the long run, the withdrawal of part of the American troops from Germany will prompt Berlin to build up its own military potential.
As the ex-CIA officer, executive director of the American Council of National Interests Philip Giraldi, said, the withdrawal of 10 thousand US troops from Germany would not cause security problems in Berlin or Europe, but could cause some difficulties with the logistics and budget of the United States.
“If the (military) withdrawal happens, this will not affect the defense of Western Europe, since Russia, in fact, poses no threat”, – he said.
“But in the short term, this will greatly affect the US defense spending”, – Giraldi added.
Earlier, Trump promised to reduce the number of the US troops in Germany to 25 thousand people. In addition, Trump was indignant that “Germany pays Russia billions of dollars for energy, and the United States must protect them from Russia”. Currently, 34.5 thousand US troops are stationed in Germany.
Statements about the “Russian threat” periodically come from Western politicians. Moscow has repeatedly stated that Russia will never attack any of the NATO countries, and the alliance simply takes the opportunity to place more equipment and battalions near Russian borders. The Russian Federation has repeatedly expressed concern about the buildup of alliance forces in Europe.