Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has called on European allies to take more responsibility for their security, after the US announced it would withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany.
Pistorius said the presence of US soldiers in Europe is "in our interest and in the interest of the United States", but added: "It was foreseeable that the US would withdraw troops from Europe, including Germany, reports TheGuardian, reports Gazeta Express.
"We Europeans must take greater responsibility for our own security."
Germany is the largest US military deployment in Europe, with about 35,000 active-duty soldiers, and serves as a key training center.
On Friday, the Pentagon said the troop withdrawal is expected to be completed within the next six to 12 months.
The announcement came amid a public clash between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after the European leader said the US was being "humiliated" by Iran.
Pistorius said Germany is "on the right track" in taking steps to strengthen the country's defense capabilities, citing the expansion of its Bundeswehr armed forces, the increase and acceleration of equipment procurement, and the construction of infrastructure.
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