Romania's defence ministry has stated that the US intends to reduce some of its troops stationed on NATO's eastern flank.
Between 900 and 1,000 American troops will remain in Romania, Bucharest reported - a decrease from 1,700.
The ministry clarified that this decision was anticipated and is a result of the new priorities of the Trump administration.
The Pentagon emphasized that this move does not indicate a withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to NATO and Article 5.
Article 5 guarantees that NATO members will defend any ally that comes under attack and has long been viewed as a key deterrent against potential Russian aggression.
Romanian Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu noted that his US counterpart Pete Hegseth had conveyed the need for European nations to better attend to their own defence and indicated a US pivot towards the Indo-Pacific region.
One US brigade at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase - expected to be NATO's largest in Europe - will rotate out without replacement, according to Mosteanu.
This brigade has elements stationed in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary, though it remains unclear if US troops will be withdrawn from these locations as well.
Poland's Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on Wednesday that Warsaw has received no information regarding a possible troop reduction on its territory.
The US military presence at Romania's Deveselu and Campia Turzii bases will remain unchanged, Mosteanu assured.
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has openly expressed interest in shifting US military commitments from Europe towards the Indo-Pacific, urging European NATO members to take on more responsibility for their own defence.
The announcement of the US troop reduction in Romania raises concerns among Eastern European nations, many of which harbor fears about potential Russian threats.
Following the announcement from Bucharest, a NATO official reiterated that Washington's commitment to the alliance remains clear, and such adjustments are not unusual.
Despite this adjustment, the US military posture in Europe remains stronger than it has been for years, with a larger number of US forces present than before 2022, as stated by the official.
The Pentagon also affirmed that the US holds a robust presence across Europe, along with the capability to deploy forces and resources as needed, including upholding President Trump's commitment to protecting NATO allies.
According to late last year's figures, over 100,000 military personnel are deployed by the US across Europe.
Last month, NATO announced the establishment of a mission called Eastern Sentry, aimed at bolstering the alliance's vigilance along its eastern border.
This decision followed an incident where several Russian drones entered Polish airspace, marking the most significant occurrence of its kind since the beginning of the war in February 2022. Shortly thereafter, Romania reported a Russian drone breach of its airspace, with Estonia also citing violations by Russian aircraft.
