Trump Mulls Sending Troops to Hungary, Source Says
Recent reports have surfaced suggesting that U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating a major shift in American military strategy in Europe. According to the Daily Telegraph, Trump is considering withdrawing 35,000 troops from Germany and potentially relocating some of them to Hungary. This move falls in line with Trump’s previous actions and statements concerning transatlantic relations and NATO’s European members.
Currently, there are around 160,000 U.S. troops stationed in Europe, with a significant portion based in Germany. Trump had previously attempted to decrease the U.S. military presence in Germany, with plans in 2020 to withdraw 12,000 troops, ultimately meeting bipartisan opposition that prevented the plan from materializing.
The possibility of relocating some of the withdrawn troops to Hungary has been mentioned by the Daily Telegraph. This decision could be influenced by Hungary’s close ties with Russia and its position on the Ukraine conflict. Hungary has shown hesitancy in supporting Ukraine, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán recently blocking a unified EU statement in support of the country.
The potential relocation of U.S. troops to Hungary would factor in the country’s stance on Ukraine and its relationship with Russia, as highlighted by Russian news agency TASS. This move would also reflect Trump’s broader strategy of reassessing U.S. military commitments in Europe and shifting focus to other regions globally.
This shift in military strategy comes at a time when the U.S. is reevaluating its global priorities. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has stressed a decreased focus on Europe in favor of other parts of the world, expressing concerns about democracy and free speech in Europe. The withdrawal of troops from Germany and the potential relocation to Hungary would highlight these evolving priorities and could have significant implications for transatlantic relations and NATO’s role in Europe.
