The U.S. is considering a proposal to cut thousands of troops from Europe. It also pulls presence from the key Ukraine arms aid hub in Poland. Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia. Ukraine inks three deals with Belgian defense companies to jointly produce weapons.
Pentagon considering proposal to cut thousands of troops from Europe
Senior [U.S.] Defense Department officials are considering a proposal to withdraw as many as 10,000 troops from Eastern Europe, sparking concern on both continents that it would embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to six U.S. and European officials who have been briefed on the matter, cited by NBC News. The paragraphs below are quoted from the article.
The units under consideration are part of the 20,000 personnel the Biden administration deployed in 2022 to strengthen the defenses of countries bordering Ukraine after the Russian invasion. The numbers are still being discussed, but the proposal could involve removing up to half of the forces sent by Biden.
If the Pentagon adopts the proposal, it will reinforce fears that the United States is abandoning its longtime allies in Europe who view Russia as a growing threat, European officials said.
Russian officials would “assess a downsizing of U.S. forces as a weakening of deterrence, and it will increase their willingness to meddle in various ways across the spectrum in Europe,” said Seth Jones, a senior vice president with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The U.S. has more than 100,000 troops in Europe. Speaking in Poland in February, U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth said: “You can’t make an assumption that America’s presence [in Europe] will last for ever.”
The Pentagon’s deliberations about restructuring parts of the U.S. military, including potentially giving up the United States’ role as the head of NATO forces in Europe and merging commands, could pose challenges, the top U.S. general in Europe, head of U.S. European Command and NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe, Christopher Cavoli, told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week, according to Reuters.
European NATO allies should have a “clear roadmap” spelling out how any U.S. pullout from the continent would work, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen told Politico earlier this week.
U.S. pulls presence from key Polish logistics hub for Ukraine
The United States’ military will withdraw troops and equipment from Jasionka, a logistics hub in southeastern Poland that supplies most weapons being sent to Ukraine. Poland’s Defense Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, said that U.S. troops would hand over the site to Norwegian, German, British and Polish troops.
The U.S. military said the decision is part of a long-planned effort.
“United States Army Europe and Africa announces the planned repositioning of U.S. military equipment and personnel from Jasionka, Poland, to other sites in the country. This transition is part of a broader strategy to optimize U.S. military operations, improving the level of support to Allies and partners while also enhancing efficiencies,” it said in a statement on Monday.
“The site is not at a permanent Polish military base, but has been utilized by U.S., NATO and partner forces for three years,” U.S. Army Europe and Africa continued.
The nature of the mission in Jasionka is changing, according to what the allies decided at a NATO summit in Washington, Polish Defense Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Tuesday on X.
“Duties previously carried out by U.S. forces in Jasionka are now being taken over by other allies,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “U.S. troops remain in Poland, but are stationed at different locations. The mission in Jasionka is now primarily carried out by Norwegian, German, British, and Polish forces, along with other allied troops.”
Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia
Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting for the Russian army in eastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said Tuesday.
In a statement on X, Zelenskyi said the soldiers were captured in Donetsk region with identification documents, bank cards and “personal data”.
“We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than just these two. We are currently verifying all the facts — intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the relevant units of the Armed Forces are working on it,” Zelenskyi said.
“I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to immediately contact Beijing and clarify how China intends to respond to this,” he continued.
The captives are currently in the custody of Ukraine’s Security Service, he added. “Russia’s involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting. This definitely requires a response, a response from the United States, Europe, and all those around the world who want peace,” Zelenskyi said.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Zelenskyi said a battle with Chinese soldiers occurred near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Donetsk region, where Ukrainian troops fought six Chinese soldiers and took two of them prisoner.
“This is yet another country providing military support to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, another one after Iran and North Korean troops. But there is a difference: North Koreans fought against us in the Kursk direction, while the Chinese are fighting on the territory of Ukraine. This is an important issue that we need to discuss with our partners,” Zelenskyi said, as quoted by his office.
Ukraine inks three deals with Belgian defense companies to jointly produce weapons
Ukraine signed three agreements for joint weapons production with Belgian companies during the visit of the country’s Prime Minister, Bart De Wever, to Ukraine on Tuesday.
In a statement on X, President Zelenskyi said: “Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s first visit after taking office is a visit specifically to Ukraine. First and foremost, I am grateful to Belgium for the new defense package for Ukraine. One billion euros is a significant contribution, and it will truly help to protect lives.”
Representatives of ten Belgian defense companies were part of the delegation, he added.
“We discussed joint weapons production and investment in manufacturing on Ukrainian territory — steps that will benefit all of Europe. Today, three agreements with Belgian manufacturers have been reached — we are signing the documents. Our current defense potential is also all of Europe’s potential in deterring any hostile activity against Europe,” Zelenskyi said.
He also highlighted Belgium’s continued support to Ukraine since the early days of the invasion that includes “defense, political, and humanitarian assistance” as well as “support for Ukrainians in Belgium”.
“And most importantly, as the foundation of our cooperation, is a sense of justice — a sense that Belgium shares with us — the recognition of the justice of our defense and the injustice of Russian aggression. I am grateful to all the people of Belgium,” Zelenskyi said.
