Only Trump will make decisions on US military posture in Europe: Pentagon
'We will continue to have ongoing discussions ... of what our force posture should be on the continent,' says defense secretary
Military personnel take part in the ‘Defense Shield 23’ multinational battle group military exercises in Novo Selo, Bulgaria on May 29, 2023.
WASHINGTON
The Pentagon chief said Wednesday that President Donald Trump is the only person who will make decisions on the US military posture in Europe.
"I would just start by saying the only person that will make a determination about force structure of US troops in Europe will be President Trump, the commander in chief," Pete Hegseth told a news conference in Panama City with Frank Abrego, Panama’s public security minister.
Hegseth was asked about remarks by US European Command Commander Christopher Cavoli, who said Tuesday that the US should maintain its current military presence in Europe.
"We will continue to have ongoing discussions, including inside the context of Ukraine, Russia, negotiations of what our force posture should be on the continent," Hegseht said.
Cavoli told a House Armed Services Committee hearing that Russia continues to be a "chronic threat."
During his opening statement, Cavoli said: "We continue to face historic times in the European theater" and he advised the US to maintain "that force posture as it is now."
