The Pentagon has canceled the deployment of around 4,000 American troops to Poland, even though part of the personnel and equipment had already arrived in the country. The Washington Post reports, citing U.S. officials.
The deployment involved units from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. The troops had originally been expected to spend nine months in Eastern Europe as part of a mission aimed at deterring Russia.
According to the newspaper, the decision was made amid Donald Trump’s growing frustration with European allies that refused to support the war against Iran.
WP writes that some American commanders in Europe learned about the cancellation from an internal Pentagon memorandum. Troops who had already arrived in Poland were ordered to prepare for an immediate return.
The newspaper notes that canceling a long-term military deployment after forces have already begun moving is considered highly unusual for the U.S. military.
Trump had previously stated that he intended to reduce the American military presence in Germany by more than 5,000 troops and had suggested further cuts to the U.S. presence in Europe, including in Italy and Spain.
In addition, according to The Washington Post, the Pentagon also abandoned plans to station a battalion of long-range missile systems in Europe.