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Germany likely to benefit from US troop withdrawal, says Russian envoy

The envoy noted that the US administration’s decision on relocating part of its forces could impact only economic situation in the areas located near the US military bases

Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov Mikhail Mettsel/TASS

Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov

© Mikhail Mettsel/TASS

MOSCOW, July 30. /TASS/. The withdrawal of part of the US contingent from Germany won’t impact security in this country and Berlin is likely to even benefit from this move, Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said on Thursday.

"Some observers interpret withdrawal of 12,000 US troops from Germany as “punishment” of Berlin. Why? Germany isn’t under threat. So, security will not be affected. Politically Germany is likely to benefit from that [the US troops’ withdrawal]," the Russian diplomat wrote on his Twitter account.

Some observers interpret withdrawal of 12 000 US troops from Germany as “punishment” of Berlin. Why? Germany isn’t under threat. So, security will not be affected. Politically Germany is likely to benefit from that. This can only affect economically communities around US bases.
— Mikhail Ulyanov (@Amb_Ulyanov) July 30, 2020

Ulyanov noted that the US administration’s decision on relocating part of its forces could impact only economic situation in the areas located near the US military bases.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said on Wednesday that the US would bring about 6,400 forces home and relocate about 5,600 troops to Italy and Belgium.

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