The United States has turned its attention towards Poland after announcing the removal of 5,000 troops from Germany following comments made by the Chancellor.

20:03, Thu, May 14, 2026 Updated: 20:03, Thu, May 14, 2026

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The United States has threatened further troop removals from Europe (Image: Getty)

The United States is set to cancel the deployment of 4,000 troops to Poland, according to three US Army officials. The move comes just weeks after the country confirmed that it was to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany after comments made by the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.

The United States also cancelled a plan developed under the Biden administration to place a missile-equipped artillery unit in Europe. It comes after Germany provoked the ire of the White House after Merz claimed that Iran had “humiliated” Washington during the ongoing conflict. Merz also questioned how the United States planned to end the war.

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Comments by the German Chancellor angered Donald Trump (Image: Getty)

The rationale behind the move to halt the deployment of a brigade to Poland remains unclear but Donald Trump previously told reporters: “we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000” service members from Germany.”

He also threatened to remove troops from other European countries as part of his ongoing attempt to call on the continent to shoulder more responsibility for its security and defence.

The decision to withdraw troops from Germany, which has the second-highest troop presence outside the United States, with 30,000 active-duty personnel, has drawn criticism from both sides of the American political spectrum.

Critics argued that the United States relies on Europe, which has around 80,000 US troops based on the continent, to enable its operations in the Middle East.

Reports had previously suggested that troops could be moved from Germany to Poland.

“Poland would like that," Trump told journalists earlier this month when asked about the prospect. "We have a great relationship with Poland. I have a great relationship with the president. ... I like him a lot, so that's possible.”

Poland’s defence minister, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, said in a social media post late Wednesday that the decision relates to a previously announced change in the presence of some U.S. Armed Forces in Europe,” as he played down the idea that it was being done in response to actions from Krakow.

Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement earlier this month that the withdrawal from Germany would be completed over the next six to 12 months.

“This decision follows a thorough review of the department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theatre requirements and conditions on the ground,” he said.