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27 Mar, 16:08

US will not withdraw troops from Europe or fold nuclear umbrella — expert

Dmitry Suslov noted that Donald Trump administration aims to reduce the strength of US forces in Europe to levels that existed before the onset of the Ukrainian conflict

MOSCOW, March 27. /TASS/. Washington will not withdraw its troops from Europe or diminish its nuclear commitment to the region; instead, it plans to restore troop levels to what they were prior to the Ukrainian conflict, according to Dmitry Suslov, deputy director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and an expert at the Valdai discussion club.

"The United States is not going to leave Europe. What we are likely to see is a return to the pre-Ukrainian norm regarding the number of US troops stationed in Europe," Suslov stated. He noted that Donald Trump administration aims to reduce the strength of US forces in Europe to levels that existed before the onset of the Ukrainian conflict.

"We are by no means discussing a complete withdrawal of US troops," he emphasized during a discussion titled Growth Crisis in NATO or the End of Atlantic Unity? on the Valdai discussion platform.

"Moreover, it is crucial to highlight that no one in the Trump administration is advocating for the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from Europe. Similarly, there has been no discussion about abandoning nuclear safeguards for European countries," Suslov remarked.

He does not believe the US will relinquish its position as the commander-in-chief of the combined armed forces in Europe. "While some speculation has arisen regarding this issue, I consider it to be nothing more than it is - speculation," the analyst concluded.