U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is dismissing General Christopher Donahue, who, according to the Financial Times, played a key role in U.S. efforts to support Ukraine.
Donahue commands U.S. Army Europe and Africa. According to the publication, he is expected to announce his resignation today.
His removal comes as the Pentagon prepares to downgrade the level of U.S. military command in Europe. At the same time, Washington is increasing pressure on European countries, demanding that they take on a greater share of responsibility for supporting Ukraine, the FT writes.
Donahue is also known as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan after the Joe Biden administration’s decision to withdraw troops in 2021.
The official reasons for his dismissal have not been disclosed. Hegseth, however, has previously criticized the previous U.S. administration’s actions during the withdrawal from Afghanistan and ordered a review of the circumstances of that operation.
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