The United States plans to reassure its NATO partners regarding the maintenance of its military presence in Europe, signaling a continued commitment to transatlantic security.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing foreign media, Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby is expected to communicate Washington's commitment to limit any potential troop withdrawals from the continent during upcoming high-level meetings.
Currently, between 80,000 and 90,000 US personnel are stationed in Europe on a rotational basis, representing one of the highest deployment levels since the end of the Cold War. This move comes as US President Donald Trump's administration seeks to address concerns among allied nations regarding regional stability and the potential for sudden shifts in American military posture. Allied states had expressed concern over a possible reduction in forces, particularly in light of increasing hybrid threats near NATO borders.
The alliance is also preparing for significant structural changes and new initiatives:
- Command structure reforms: Leadership of several command centers will be transferred to European allies as part of a strategy to increase Europe's responsibility within the alliance.
- "Arctic Sentry" mission: A new military mission will be established to strengthen defense capabilities in the Arctic, responding to the activities of Russia and China in the region.
These security guarantees are scheduled to be announced alongside the US military posture review, which is expected by the end of the year. European defense analysts also note that Turkey's role in these strategic processes will be under particular focus heading into 2026. For Azerbaijan, which maintains a active partnership with NATO through the Partnership for Peace program and contributes to regional energy security, the stability of the European security architecture remains a key factor in its foreign policy considerations.
