The head of the Pentagon “shocked” Ukrainian officials by announcing a reduction of U.S. troops in Europe – NBC News

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth “stunned” Ukrainian officials when he informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting that the U.S. administration may reduce the number of American troops in Europe.

NBC News reported this information, citing sources.

According to the sources, Hegseth stated that the U.S. is increasingly focusing its attention on the Asia-Pacific region and the border with Mexico.

Officially, the Pentagon told the publication that Hegseth “did not make any statements or provide any timelines for the withdrawal of American troops from Europe.”

Earlier, media reports suggested that there are concerns in Europe about a potential withdrawal of U.S. troops from Eastern European countries of the European Union. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he does not intend to withdraw American troops from the continent.

Previously, Financial Times reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking a reduction in NATO’s presence in former Soviet states, while European officials fear that the current U.S. government may agree to such terms and even exceed expectations.