Germany’s Defence Minister on Saturday (May 2, 2026) appeared to take in stride a Pentagon announcement that the United States plans to pull some 5,000 troops out of Germany, saying a drawdown was expected and emphasising the mutual benefit of the longstanding U.S. deployment in Europe.

Boris Pistorius said Europe recognised and was acting on the necessity of doing more to ensure its own security within the U.S.-led NATO military alliance that counts Germany as a key member, and said it is doing so. He suggested America, too, gains from its military deployment in the continent.

“The presence of American soldiers in Europe, and especially in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the U.S.,” Mr. Pistorius told the German news agency dpa.