Sweden NATO Foreign Ministers

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte deliver a statement during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Friday, May 22, 2026.

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NATO allies bewildered by Trump's about-face on US troop moves in Europe

NATO allies bewildered by Trump's about-face on US troop moves in Europe

NATO allies and defense officials have expressed bewilderment at U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would send 5,000 U.S. troops to Poland. That came just weeks after he ordered the same number of forces pulled out of Europe. The apparent change of mind came after weeks of statements from Trump and his administration about reducing the American military footprint in Europe. Trump’s initial order set off a flurry of action among military commanders and left allies already doubtful about America’s commitment to Europe’s security to ponder what forces they might have to backfill on NATO’s eastern flank with Russia and Ukraine.