The media reported on the preparations by NATO countries to reduce the US contingent in Europe.

European NATO countries have begun preparations in case of a possible withdrawal of US troops from the region. This was reported on July 3 by the Euractiv portal, citing diplomatic sources in the alliance.

"Some of these countries (Eastern Europe. — Ed.) privately called on NATO to begin negotiations on revising its defense plans in order to begin preparations for the fact that America may play a much smaller role," the publication says.

As noted by "Gazeta.En", European countries are convinced that US President Donald Trump intends to withdraw from 10 to 20 thousand people who may be sent to Asia or the Middle East. Today, the American contingent in Europe is about 80 thousand troops.

According to the portal, it will take many years for European NATO countries to fully restore the alliance's combat capability after the possible withdrawal of some American troops.

"It is expected that the withdrawal of American troops will also affect the main American military bases in Germany and Italy, which are the basis for supporting advanced US military operations," the publication clarifies.

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On May 25, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported that senior European diplomats expect the United States to announce a reduction in its military presence in Europe in the next few months. It is noted that Elbridge Colby, a national security policy specialist and chief strategist at the Pentagon, is one of the main ideologists of the reduction of American troops. In his opinion, Washington is depressed by its current role as a world leader.